||| LIVING EPISTLES 
Old Guard 


1873-1023 


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From out the past, greetings — 


LIVING EPISTLES 
THE OLD GUARD 


IN THE PRESENT 
HAPPY MEETINGS 


Tomorrow and Tomorrow God’s Blessings 


Edited and Published by 
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Danville, Virginia 
APRIL TWELFTH 
1924 


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Copyright, 1924 


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ERRATA 


Page 156 


be men”; should read, 
women” 


Lines 23 and 24 read, “boys who grew to 


“oirls who grew to be 


Lines 21 and 22 read, “‘our missionary” ; 


Page 196 


should read, ‘“‘on missions.” 


Page 202—Line 24, word “fruitation” should read 
“fruition” 


OUR EXEMPLAR 


Man, plus the grace of God, equals 
a Christian gentleman. 


How perfect the harmony of qual- 
ities in Jesus! No excess or deficien- 
cies; no crotchety notions; no discord 
of doctrines; no deformities of life; no 
inconsistencies; no imfelicities of dis- 
position; the brilliancy of His mind 
was matched by the goodness of His 
heart, and His graceful gentleness 
sweetly softened the stalwart rugged- 
ness of His strength. “O Goodness In- 
finte! Goodness Immense! Immortal 
Love, Strong Son of God!’ 

Ia tee 


TO MY CO-WORKERS 


These pages deal with just 66 characters, all of whom 
have been sympathetic and lenient. Dr. J. M. Pilcher 
has aided, and given me the benefit of wise counsel. 
Mrs. Wm. E. Hatcher kindly consented to write the 
sketches of the sisters, which has been done in her own 
felicitous style; leaving her own in the hands of Dr. 


C. V. Waugh. 


My dear friend, Rev. Alvan W. Graves, came to me 
wholeheartedly and has been my cheerful co-worker. 
Without his generous aid, my cherished desire could not 
have been realized. 


The work has been to me a labor of love, and is placed 
in the hands of the printer with a farewell sigh; feeling 
that I shall never again, in this life, enjoy the intimate 
touch which our correspondence has afforded. 


Thank my fellow-helpers for the good, and charge 
all errors and shortcomings to 
T. L. Sypnor. 


INTRODUCTORY 


“If you wish to destroy your enemy, persuade him 
to write a book.” 


The challenge conceals three weapons. ‘The first 
attacks the physical and mental vitality ; the second may 
wreck a modest bank account. If perchance these two 
blades are safely parried, then the hobnailed critics ad- 
vance from such unexpected quarters, that the book- 
maker may be made to feel like the defeated political 
candidate, who had been guaranteed the electoral ballot. 

If this recorder has enemies vicious enough to desire 
his destruction, he feels sure that these little tomes will 
not constitute volume sufficient to demolish him. Further 
assurance of safety is, that the record of so many good 
things about so many good people will form a barrage 
which no enemy will dare attempt to penetrate. 

These Living Epistles have little to say of happenings 
prior to 1873, still less of what may occur after 1923. 
We are friends of half a century, talking face to face 
with each other about ourselves. In no sense are these 
tokens to be considered as complete biographies of any- 
one herein portrayed, and yet the data may be of some 
assistance to future historians. 

When the call was made at the Centennial meeting of 
the Baptist General Association of Virginia for a get-to- 
gether of the survivors of 1873, there was no thought of 
bringing this writer into the issue, except to sit with the 


sal INTRODUCTORY 


group for a picture. The photographer failing to arrive, 
is was decided that we organize under the name of The 
Old Guard, each one agreeing to send in an individual 
photograph, accompanied with the name of Church and 
Association with which connection was held in 18738; 
Church and Association at present time, and give post 
office address. This task of collecting and assembling 
these pictures—not an easy one—was voted to the writer. 


Several days after this initial gathering, there came 
the suggestion that there be compiled brief biographical 
sketches of the survivors of 1873 and 1923. A very 
beautiful vision, which the recorder approaches with 
timidity, a sense of unpreparedness, and an appeal for 
help. We had a picture in 1873 and waited fifty years 
for those magnificent and well-earned eulogies to be pro- 
nounced by Hon. Park P. Deans and Dr. George Brax- 
ton Taylor. Why wait another fifty years to tell of what 
is happening to-day? We have the flowers, let us hand 
our bouquets to “The Old Guard” and greet them as 
Living Epistles. We boys were in the formative age dur- 
ing the years leading up to 1873. The war of the 60’s, 
nor the succeeding days of the reconstruction—which 
could aptly be called days of destruction,—could not sup- 
press the ardor of the youthful Southern spirit. The exi- 
gencies of the times tended to bring out the very best 
within us. We were being prepared for a new era, a 
new order of things which our fathers had not experi- 
enced, nor could they grasp. New talent, new initiative 
was demanded of us. We must needs hold the plow with 


InTRODUCTORY vil 


one hand, and reach for the helm of state with the other. 
Manual labor was the need and our pride; education not 
forgotten, but held in abeyance for lack of means. 


A few months after the surrender of Lee, when our 
fields and villages were in a state of desolation, a traveler 
stepped off the train and looking about with an air of 
cynicism, asked in a mufiled tone, “What do you raise 
down here anyhow?” A youngster, bristling up, prof- 
fered this information: “Sir, we raise men here.” And 
that was the product which was found in our churches 
and on the campus,of Richmond College in 1873. 


The half-century embraced between 1873 and 1923 
has left us half a hundred years less young, but looking 
backward, we enjoy the retrospect, realizing that we have 
taken part in activities and accomplishments of which 
the world had never dreamed. The Lord had never be- 
fore revealed such wonders as we have been permitted 
to behold. Old Mother Shipton’s prophecy has been 
more than fulfilled, except in that the world is not at its 
end. Jules Verne’s 7’wenty Thousand Leagues Under 
the Sea, or Ten Thousand Leagues On The Amazon are 
so far outstripped in every day realities that his imagi- 
nary stories are but back numbers. The physical world, 
its matter beneath us, all around and above us, has be- 
come but modeling compound in the hands of the men of 
this half-century. Space has been annihilated; speed 
finds the winds too slow; a whisper is heard around the 
world; we walk on the floor of the seas; we soar aloft 
where eagles dare not ascend. And yet, and yet, we are 


Vill INTRODUCTORY 


looking higher, infinitely higher. The God-given mind 
of man is great; the God-given spirit of man dwells in 
a realm not yet entered by the mind of man. We are 
but embryonic. The infinite mind is but the chrysalis 
being prepared for the spiritual unknown. The mind 
of man hath not yet conceived what we shall be. 


These new inventions (so called) ,—these new applica- 
tions of principles and materials, heretofore known or 
unknown, are so quickly adopted into daily use that they 
fail to excite wonder. Let us give God the praise, and 
realize that this half-century of material progress is 
ordained of the Lord to spread His truth to the distant 
borders of the earth and hasten the coming of His uni- 
versal reign. 

In 1873 there were 55,629 Baptists in Virginia 


In 1923 there are 207,915 Baptists in Virginia 
In 1923 there are 11,566,323 Baptists in the world 


Has the Lord of earth and heaven ever so honored 
any other period? Does history record such another 
fifty-year cycle of miracles? Let us be thankful, and 
while casting our mantles to those who are coming after, 
say, “The Lord’s will be done.” 


Moses looked from the top of Mt. Nebo. We are look- 
ing from a summit never before attained. Are we ready 
with wings of faith to enter upon our next flight? Then 
while waiting, let us rehearse together Margaret Sang- 
ster’s sweet song, 


INTRODUCTORY 1x 


“Dear friend, when you and I are gone, 

Beyond earth’s weary labor ; 

When small shall be our need of praise 
Of comrade or of neighbor ; 

Passed all the strife, the toil, the care, — 
And done with all the sighing ; 

What tender truths shall we have gained, 
Alas! by simply dying. 


Then lips, too chary with their praise, 
Will tell our merits o’er ; 
Then eyes, too swift, our faults to see, 
Will no defect discover ; 
Then, hands that would not lift a stone, 
Where stones were thick to cumber 
Our rugged, steep hill path, 
Will scatter flowers above our pillowed slumber. 


Tis easy to be gentle, when death’s silence 
Shames our clamour ; 
"Tis easy to behold the best, 
Through memory’s mystic glamour ; 
But wise it were for you and me, 
E’er love is past forgiving, 
To take the blessed lesson home, 
Be kind, be helpful to the LIVING,” 


X INTRODUCTORY 


In the meantime pass along these love-letters between 
our old chums—lest we forget, and then let them be 


DEDICATED TO 


Those who, coming after us, are leading on toward the 
Sesqui-Centennial of 1973, Lest They Forget. 


ORIGIN AND ORGANIZATION 
OF “THE OLD GUARD” 


Second Baptist Church, kichmond, Va., November 16, 1923 


For several weeks before the great Centennial Meeting 
of the Virginia Baptist General Association at the Second 
Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., there had been indicated 
through the columns of the Religious Herald the desire for 
a get-together meeting of the survivors of the session of 
1873. In response to a call from the platform, those 
present assembled in the basement of the Church, and after 
hearty congratulations and greetings, at once organized 
themselves under the name of “The Old Guard of 1873- 
1923,” electing as their commander, Rev. J. M. Pilcher, 
D. D., of Petersburg, Va. Recorder and keeper of rolls, 
Dr. T. L. Sydnor, of Danville, Va. Each one agreeing to 
send to the recorder at Danville, Va., a photograph to be 
reproduced and become a part of the group picture, a 
copy of which will be sent to each member. 


The Rear Guard of 1873, now marching with the multi- 
plied Baptist host into the Second Century Campaign, is 


Inrropuctory . xl 
ordered by Commander Pilcher to report for duty, God 
willing, at Bluefield, November, 1924. 


The meeting adjourned with prayer by Captain R. 
Walton Sydnor, of Blackstone, Va. 


We were in the Skirmishing Squad in 1873— 


From out the past—greetings— 


We have served for half a century in the active columns 
and still serving— 


In the present—happy meetings— 


We hope to do some valiant service in the next year and 
years to come— 


L’o-morrow and to-morrow—God’s blessing. 


The Lord has been very good to us, and we manifest 
our gratitude to Him by getting together and expressing . 
our love for one another. By this shall all men know that 
we are His disciples, being all of one mind, we have com- 
passion one for another, we love as brethren. 


x1 [nrROoDUCTORY 


“<THE OLD GUARD” 


Participants in the meetings of the Semi-Centennial 
Session of the Virginia Baptist General Association held 
in Richmond, Va. in June, 1873, and present also at the 
Centennial Session on November 12, 1923, constitute “The 
Old Guard” proper. | 

We include also those who, having attended the sessions 
of the Semi-Centennial Meeting, but were providentially 
prevented from being present at the Centennial in Rich- 
mond in 1923. 


ROSTER OF “THE OLD GUARD” 


PAGE 
Rev. St. George T. Abrahams, Moseley, Via GL Ae ee ed 67 
Alfred Bagby, D. D., Richmond, Vallee. ee 1 
W. C. Bitting, D. D., St. Louis, IM Oe Sale ae 71 
Andrew Broaddus, D. D., Sparta, Va......------------+--------- 76 
A. J. Chewning, Trevilians, Va.......-.-.-----------------0 > v9 
Major T. D. Coghill, Bowling GreeniV ai. rors 22 

 -Jocl T. Cotton, Portsmouth, Va.......---------------------------— 81 
W. T. Derieux, D. D., Columbia, 8. C.....----------------+---+- 83 
R. Dudley Diggs, Richmond, Va.......-------------------- 24 
A. B. Dunaway, D. D., Portsmouth, Vib ee ee ole 26 
J. W. Fleet; Biscoe, V8.,--.-.--2-2:2---t----2-22-teeeastonvenacecr stones 86 
Rev. R. A. Folkes, Gloucester, Va....-.-----------+----1----------+- 28 
Bedford Glascock, Upperville, Va.......-------------+---1-------- 88 
Rev. A. W. Graves, Round Hill, Va.........--------------------- 91 
H. M. Gresham, Tappahannock, Va...-.....--------------------- 31 
C. G. Hathaway, The Plains, Va......----.----------------------- 33 
Rev. Geo. J. Hobday, Norfolk, Va.......-----------------------+ 98 


W. T. Hundley, D. D., De Land, Fla.........-.-.--------.-.--- 102 


INTRODUCTORY X1li 


PAGE 
Hevea ELUT Gs DA LNA. OV ae open cert kh 105 
Metron LAnEONs 1), L). ON OTIO Kn Viens ca ee, teed 108 
PV MO aticee ROUNM Hille Vince ee ee ie 
George C. Jefferson, Richmond, Va....................2....... 35 
BE NeELy a ONES Ole J Osephe MO... Jn one 37 
Tey ete | oh Incanon ss bediord Vode ee ea tis 
Perla cy SCOLLSU UTES Wy Aerie ea cee eet oy ie 39 
Seema less 1)" DoE ranklin.: Vanee oo nce 116 
aeyemicene Lick: Roanoke; Vasee ree ee en 2 119 
Chas. A. Mercer, D. D. S., Richmond, Va................-...... 41 
et ewioniaeie, nichmond. Vasees cen pte ah 2, 44 
Judge C. HE. Nicol, Alexandria, Va....2....-.-.--c-.0-0.- 122 
Mime reL ACOs ICIMON Vil. o sree oer ai 45 
Secor icherti 1) s:PetershurcanVa ene oe ee 10 
ieee itin La) oe Richmond, Vase tere nc too 124 
vem eer Ihe CustoLLitler\ ahs cele nee ee AY 
Been tollard a Richmond; (Vi.u eta TN ee 126 
poeecrovence- 9): De-Richmond: Va. te. fhe 128 
Peo. heynolds, Ghristiansburg, Van. ee 132 
eeerttOniItise tCHMONG.Y Vaiw en ke NG 49 
Demeter de tiehMmond, #Vas2 ck oe eS 134 
Dey Me haniniord Ghatham Vasc.) ee eal 136 
Sens COLL.! LPL) Kol eyes Vinee ees So Ne 138 
Eaenee smith; DD Bedtord’ Vai nr... tk 141 
etiaaedr neat, HOrk anions V acts ieee 8 
J. C. Staples, ELBE risOUD UIE, Soe ve ee a 50 
Cr Lamiinerin sire “sitterlins Valls kk 52 
Judge George Swann, Trenholm, Va........0.0000000.. 146 
Capt. R. W. Sydnor, Blackstone, Va......2....0.0-0-0.0-- 53 
Teimoyddor Ua... Danville Vaso se) ae 148 


X1V INTRODUCTORY 


PAGE 
S. F. Taylor, D. D., Columbia, Mo...........-..-.---------------- 154 
Benjamin Thomas, Chesapeake, Va...........------------------ 57 
Rey. W. S. 0. Thomas, Craddock, Portsmouth, Va... 157 
L, R. Thornhill: D..Ds daychbure, Va... 4a 4M) 
C. V. Waugh, D. D., Jacksonville, Pla.........-2.-------.-. 165 
Jno..D. Whitescarver, Graham, Va.._.-..-.----i.0.-:t-2 fink abril 
Rev. J. W. Wildman, Cluster Springs, Va..........------.--- 172 
RoC; Williams; Ontario yy a-<22csc one ee eee [Waihe 
H. Jo WilliamsonysNortolk;-Vaite. oe eee es ae 
Larkin Willis, liocust:Dale; Var<2:2 tea eee 6 
D. P. Wood, Warrenton, Va... -2-----.-2-nenccent gets ct enncaen ones 61 
S. E. Woody, M. D., Louisville, Ky..........-..------------------ 178 
“Old?- Richmond College of 18%3-. 2k 63 
IM emi nt facie dy ae ee Ee fee ee cee 180 
OnriSisters <2 6s. eee Sian oe ree 189 
Mrs. Wm. E. Hatcher, Fork Union, Va............--.---.----- 191 
O]d Age: -.-.ceeneseeeeieteceecntennsteetenensgeatncenaenencamannysnsngnnarereiss 205 
Mrs. C. F. Sugg, Woodford, Va.........--------------s---teece 207 
Mrs. Theodore Triplett, Markham, Va.............-..-.--------- 213 
Mrs. H. L. Smither, Saluda, Va........-..------------------ 218 
Mrs. I. B: Lake, Wake Forest, N, ©. 2. eae 225 
Our Invited Guest............. Rhee gt actly nee ce 231 
The. Bolugous Heralds cc. acnc san eeucenshon tp eee ee 231 


Capt. R. Walton Sydner’s Recollections.................-.-.- 236 


REV. ALFRED BAGBY, D- D. 


“We spend our years as a tale that is told.”—PSALMS, 90:9. 


The Baptist General Asso- 
ciation was organized on the 
first Saturday in June, 1823, 
at the Second Baptist Church, 
Richmond, Va. The only 
survivor of that meeting, 
present at its Semi-Centen- 
nial in 1873, was Rev. James 
Fife, of Charlottesville, Va. 
Those of us who were present 
well remember the ovation 
tendered him when intro- 
duced to the audience. At 
the Centennial Session we 
had a comparatively large 
number who had taken part 
in the Semi-Centennial, designating themselves as “The 
Old Guard.” We are now listing them in these pages 
under the title of “Living Epistles.” 


Four of our number enjoy the distinction of having been 
present at the session of the Southern Baptist Convention 
which met in the First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., 
in 1859: Rev. Alfred Bagby, Mr. Larkin Willis, Capt. 
Chas. G. Snead, and Dr. John M. Pilcher. The eldest of 
the quartette is the subject of this sketch. He is the only 
one of our number whose name appears in Cathcart’s 
Baptist Encyclopedia, published in 1881. 


2 Living EPpisTLES 


Dr. Alfred Bagby was born at Stevensville, King and 
Queen County, Va., June 15, 1828, the son of John and 
Elizabeth Bagby. He is now living at the home of his 
son, John Bagby, in Richmond, Va., and on June 15th 
of the present year expects to celebrate his ninety-sixth 
birthday. We can visualize, in a measure, how long ago 
it was that Dr. Bagby was born by recalling the facts 
that John Quincy Adams was then President, John 
Marshall was presiding in the Supreme Court of the 
United States, and Clay and Webster were in the midst 
of their active political and professional life. George 
Washington had been dead only about thirty years and 
Thomas Jefferson about two years. Railroads were then 
unknown. 

John and Elizabeth Bagby were people of real charac- 
ter. Besides several daughters, Rev. Doctors Richard 
Hugh Bagby, George Franklin Bagby, Major John Bagby, 
and Edward Bagby of the Confederate Army were their 
children. 

Dr. Alfred Bagby was educated at Stevensville Acad- 
emy, Columbian College of Washington, D. C., and Prince- 
ton Theological Seminary, at which latter institution he 
continued his studies until 1852. 

The years 1847 and 1849 were spent in teaching in 
New Kent County, and from 1854 to 1859, as principal 
of the Stevensville Academy. 


On January 4, 1853, Dr. Bagby was ordained to the 
gospel ministry at Bruington Church, King and Queen 
County, and in May of the same year was married to 
Miss Sarah Jane Pollard, a sister of Rev. Dr. John Pol- 
lard and Hon. Henry R. Pollard. Of this union were 
born eight children, five of whom are living. 


THe Oxp GuaRD 3 


After a brief pastorate at Emporia, Va., he became the 
minister of Mattaponi Baptist Church in his native county, 
and to his work here he devoted the most active and suc- 
cessful period of his life——from 1855 to 1890,—thirty-five 
years. His sermons were clear, forceful, and full of in- 
formation as to how to live true to God and one’s self. 
From this church went forth Revs. R. H. Bagby, W. B. 
Todd, W. T. Hundley, W. S. Brooke, W. P. Brooks, 
Thomas Lumpkin, and Harry Dunn, besides many young 
men and women who have become active in churches in 
Richmond, Baltimore, and elsewhere. In connection with 
his pastorate, Dr. Bagby gave liberally of his time to the 
instruction of persons who became prominent ministers: 
or business men. For the most part these were poor boys 
who were compelled to work for their livelihood and had 
no opportunity to attend a day school. ‘They were well 
taught and were inspired with the zeal of their teacher, 
as was evidenced by the lives they subsequently lived. 

While pastor at Mattaponi, Dr. Bagby founded the 
Baptist Church at West Point. This church recently 
celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. 

During the Civil War, which “tried men’s souls,” Dr. 
Bagby ministered to his flock with fidelity and constancy, 
and rendered such aid as he could to his beloved South- 
land. 

In 1890 he removed from King and Queen County to 
Chester, Va., where he taught a school for young women 
and was pastor of Enon Baptist Church. 

In 1873 he was delegate to the Baptist General Asso- 
ciation of Virginia from the Mattaponi Church, and in 
1923 from Mattaponi and from the Tabernacle Church 
of Richmond, Va., of which latter he is now an active 
member. 


4. Livina EpistiLEs 


Wednesday evening, June 21, 1922, Dr. Bagby was 
tendered a reception by the Tabernacle Church in cele- 
bration of his ninety-fourth birthday. Enthusiastic ad- 
dresses were made, one of them by a member of his 
Bible class, and a handsome silver cup was presented to 
him. He considers this one of the greatest honors he has 
ever received. 

Dr. Bagby has for a number of years been a member 
of the Committee on Virginia Baptist History and is still 
active in its work. 

Recently he compiled the Bagby family tree, tracing to 
the present time those who have descended from James 
Bagby, who settled at Jamestown, and indicating the 
honors which have come to individual members of the 
family. The tree was prepared after protracted labor 
and research and was recently revised. 

He is also the author of a book of four hundred pages 
entitled King and Queen County, Virginia, which has 
been eagerly sought by almost everybody who has been in 
any way connected with that portion of the State. It 
contains accurate information, collated in attractive form, 
and is of much historical and descriptive value. One 
chapter of the book is devoted to poems written by 
citizens of the County, a number of them by Dr. Bagby’s 
wife. This volume is very rare and sells for five dollars 
per copy. 

And now, at the ripe old age of ninety-six, when most 
men who have been spared so long are well on the shelf, 
Dr. Bagby persists in still being active and makes good 
his persistency. Almost daily he can be seen walking 
along Monument Avenue, taking his daily “constitutional” 
with a long, steady stride. His mind is as clear as a bell, 


cr 


Tur Oxtp GuarD 


and he is a wide reader and of decided opinions on current 
topics. At the recent celebration of the fiftieth anniversary 
of the West Point Baptist Church, when introduced to 
make an address, a reference was made to his extreme 
age. In responding he proceeded as follows: “The brother 
who introduced me is mistaken in referring to my ex- 
treme age. Things go in this world by comparison. Let 
him compare me with Methuselah, and he will see his 
mistake.” 


Wealth in money has never been his. But there is an 
incomparably better kind of wealth than this, and one 
which can be taken with us when we leave. ‘The service 
of God and those around him have always been upper- 
most in Dr. Bagby’s life and purposes, and thousands of 
friends will wish him well when he celebrates his ninety- 


sixth birthday, bearing in. mind that “Kind hearts are! © 


more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood.” 


6 Living EpistLes 


LARKIN WILLIS 


1873 and 1823 are the his- 
torical dates which claim the 
interest of “The Old Guard”. 
Four of our members hark 
back fourteen years to another 
date, and tell us of the meet- 
ing of the Southern Baptist 
Convention at the First Bap- 
tist Church, Richmond, Va., 
in 1859. These brethren are: 
Rev. Alfred Bagby, D. D., 
Rey. J. M. Pilcher, D. D., 
Capt. Charles G. Snead, and 
Mr. Inrkin Willis, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The Lord 
has greatly blessed these 
brethren, and we love to honor them and thank God for 
sparing them to be numbered in our list. 


On March 20, 1924 notables assembled to celebrate the 
ninetieth birthday of the distinguished Dr. Charles W. 
Khot, President Emeritus of Harvard University. This 
has an old Testament sound; yet if our brother, Larkin 
Willis, Locust Dale, Culpeper County, Va., shall live until 
February 24, 1925, he will be ninety years old. Highty- 
nine years old and writing a clear hand, expressing his 
interest in the group picture which is being prepared of 
the Old Guard, and occasionally he writes in a devout 


Tue Orp GuaRD era 


manner of the affairs of the kingdom of God in which he 
has been interested since his youth. 

He is one of twenty children by the same father and 
mother, and one of sixteen sons, of whom twelve were in the 
Confederate Army. He was a young man in Richmond in 
1859 when the Southern Baptist Convention met in the 
First Baptist Church, was a member of Leigh Street 
Church and attended the Convention, observing the contest 
between Howell and Graves for the presidency, and wit- 
nessing the election of Richard H. Fuller. 

In 1868, fifty-six years ago, he was a resident of Cul- 
peper County, Va., and a member of Crooked Run Church, 
Shiloh Association, and has been a member of that church 
and a deacon many years. He was a messenger from that 
church in 1873, to the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the 
General Association, but was not able to attend in 1923. 

An unusually long life, distinguished by intelligent 
piety, and interest in the highest things of life, is an 
honor to his children and an example to future generations. 


8 Livina EpistLes 


CAPT. CHARLES GOODALL SNEAD 


The youngest of the seven 
sons of Deacon George H. 
Snead, of Fork Union, Flu- 
vanna County, Va., Charles 
Goodall Snead, was born in 
the home in which he is now 
living, in 1840. He and his 
only sister, Mrs. William EK. 
Hatcher, survive of this large 
and interesting family. Now 
in his eighty-fourth year, he 
is still active and vigorous,— 
managing his farm, taking an 
active part in his church and 
community affairs. 


Capt. Snead was named for 
a Baptist minister, John Goodall, who died a most trium- 
phant death at his Uncle William Snead’s about the time 
the Captain was born. He was educated in the neighbor- 
hood schools, taught at different times by three of his 
brothers, and Dr. P. S. Henson, whose birthplace was 
Fork Union, Va. 


Being reared under the influence of Godly parents, 
Capt. Snead had in early life cherished the desire to be 
a partaker of his father’s and mother’s religion, so at 
the early age of twelve, he became a happy Christian. 
He was converted in a meeting held by Rev. W. A. Whites- 


Tur Op Guarp 9 


carver, the pastor of the Fork Union Church, and was bap- 
tized by him. Our young convert at once threw himself 
heart and soul into the services of the church. He took an 
active part in the young men’s prayer meeting, which 
was conducted by his brother, Rev. George H. Snead, M. D., 
and his cousin, P. Pollard Seay. It was at these meetings 
that his voice was first heard in prayer, and while quite a 
youth his pastor would call on him to lead in prayer at 
his Wednesday night prayer services. Since that time, 
during his long and eventful life, in the army, or in the 
quiet of his own home, he has been active in all religious 
work. 

In the year 1859, in his nineteenth year, Capt. Snead 
was chosen a delegate to the Biennial Southern Convention, 
which met that year with the First Baptist Church of 
Richmond, Va. Of the large number attending this meet- 
ing only four (so far as our records show) remain, name- 

ly: Dr. Alfred Bagby, Mr. Larkin Willis, Dr. J. M. Pilcher, 
and Capt. Charles G. Snead. 

The policies and activities of the Fork Union Baptist 
Church have been largely shaped and directed by Capt. 
Snead, who has held the office of deacon for many years, 
and served it almost continuously, as Sunday school teach- 
er. He also has served as moderator of the Albemarle 
Association. Besides his activities in all church work, he 
has been one of its most liberal contributors, giving many 
thousands of dollars to the support of the church and its 
enterprises. He has always been mindful of his Lord’s 
words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

In the spring of 1861, Capt. Snead joined a company 
organized at Fork Union, named the Fluvanna Artillery, 
and was elected fourth sergeant. From time to time he 


10 Living EPpistTLEs 


was promoted until he reached the rank of first liuetenant, 
and, after the death of the captain of the company, he was 
made captain of the battery by order of General Lee. 


Capt. Snead took great interest in the artillery drill, 
which he learned under a V. M. I. cadet while in camp 
at Richmond College. Becoming very proficient, he not 
only drilled his own company, but was detailed by Col. 
Nelson, who commanded the batallion, to drill Capt. Car- 
rington’s battery from Charlottesville. 

During the long four years of the War, Capt. Snead 
took part in many battles, having many hair-breadth 
escapes. In the Seven Days battle around Richmond, he 
was called upon to take his gun with others of the bat- 
talion to make an attack on the enemy, when a minnie 
ball went through his trousers at the knee, but not wound- 
ing him. At Frederick, Md., in 1864, his horse was: shot 
and a bullet passed between his legs without breaking 
the skin. Without doubt his greatest achievement was in 
the battle at Winchester on the nineteenth of September, 
1864, when Capt. Massie took two guns on one part of the 
field and he took the other two on another part, with 
Gen. Rhoads’ division in his front. Gen. Rhoads was 
' killed, and immediately his whole front line fell back in 
great disorder. This made it necessary for a change of 
position of the artillery. At once Lieut. Snead rushed 
his two guns upon a small hill and opened a terrific fire 
of grape and canister upon the advancing enemy. ‘Their 
advance was checked instantly, thus saving Early’s little 
army from rout. At this juncture a general officer rode 
up and said, “Lieutenant, you have saved the day.” For 
the past twenty-five years Capt. Snead has been the com- 
mander of the Fluvanna Camp of Confederate Veterans. 


Tur Orp Guarp 1h 


The Fluvanna Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans 
is named “The Charles G. Snead Camp,” in his honor. 


In February, 1865, Capt. Snead got a thirty-day fur- 
lough to go home to be married. His bride was Miss 
Sallie Broaddus, of Caroline County, Va. The marriage 
ceremony was performed by the bride’s cousin, Rev. An- 
drew Broaddus. After five years of happy married life, 
Mrs. Snead died, leaving two daughters, who still survive 
her: Mrs. W. EK. Daniel and Mrs. A. 8. Allen, both of 
Weldon, N. C. The second wife was Miss Bettie Payne, 
of Goochland County, Va. From this union there were 
seven children, five of whom are living, viz.: W. O. and 
H. P. Snead, and Mrs. E. P. Burgess, of Fork Union, Va., 
Mrs. Elliott Averett, of New York, and Dr. George H. 
- Snead, of Washington, D. C. 

Just after the War, Capt. Snead moved to Mississippi, 
where, with his wife’s uncle, Alexander Miller, he raised 
cotton. After nine years, he returned to Virginia and 
settled on the “Old Homestead” farm where he was born, 
and where he now lives. For twenty-five years he was in 
the fertilizer business as a traveling salesman. This ex- 
perience was of incalculable benefit to him, for it is truly 
said that a successful salesman is fitted for almost any un- 
professional station in life. During all this time he con- 
tinued his farming operations, which he pursued with in- 
creasing interest. He also took an active part in politics, 
attending state conventions as delegate, and for years 
was county chairman of the Democratic party. 

Capt. Snead has always given unstintingly of his time 
and means to every worthy cause brought to his attention, 
but the greatest good he has done has unquestionably been 
in connection with Fork Union Military Academy. 


12 Livine EpistTLEs 


He has been vice-president of the Board of Trustees 
since the school was founded in 1898, when as a charter 
member of the Board he took an active part in its begin- 
ning. ‘Time and time again when it looked as if the 
school would have to be closed because of the lack of 
money, the Captain has responded liberally to the call for 
help. The success of the school has been largely due to 
his oversight and loyal support. He has gladly given 
thousands of dollars, and time without limit to its needs. 
When Hatcher Hall was constructed, the funds appropri- 
ated for the purpose were not sufficient for the completion 
of the building. At this time, Capt. Snead came forward 
and spent over seventeen hundred dollars of his own money 
in order to finish the building. In 1923, when the Trustees . 
ordered the erection of the splendid barracks, it was unan- 
imously voted to name the building “Snead Hall,” in token 
and appreciation of the enduring service that had been 
rendered the school by the honored and venerable vice- 
president of the Board, Capt. Charles G. Snead. 

Capt. Snead has always had a vigorous mind,—indeed, 
he was highly gifted. When a boy he did not love the con- 
finement of school, but was a lover of the fields. As he 
grew up, he realized that he had made a mistake, that he 
could have had a college education as his brothers had, so 
he betook himself to studying, reading and writing, till 
he became a fine writer and speaker. His influence on the 
community and church is not equaled. He leads in every 
good enterprise, and his loss would be deeply felt. His 
interesting family of children delight to gather at the 
“Old Homestead” on his birthdays to do him honor. When 
he passes to that “bourne from which no traveler returns,” 
multitudes will arise and call him blessed. 

Nee 


Tur Oxp Guarp 13 


REV. JOHN M. PILCHER, D. D. 


The only minister now living whose voice was heard from the 
platform at the semi-centennial meeting in 1873 is Rev. J. M. 
Pileher, D. D. 

Dr. Pilcher’s prominence 
among our Baptist brother- 
hood did not begin with the 
Semi- Centennial of 1873. 
Fourteen years previous to 
this, we find him in the great 
gathering of the Southern 
Baptist Convention which 
met in the First Baptist 
Church in Richmond, Va., in 
1859. Nor is he the only one 
of our members, now living, 
who attended that conven- 
tion. The subject of this 
sketch is the youngest of a 
quartette whose domestic, 
civic, and religious examples are worthy to be imitated by 
those who have come later upon the stage of existence, 
namely: Rev. Alfred Bagby, Mr. Larkin Willis, Capt. 
Charles G. Snead, and Rev. J. M. Pilcher, D. D. These 
are our Hpistles, “written in our hearts, known and read 
of all men.” 

John Mason Pilcher, son of John Alsop Pilcher, an 
irreligious, highly moral, genial, polite, successful business 
man, owner of slaves, real estate, railroad, state and 


14 Living EpistTLes 


bank stocks, a magistrate of the old self-perpetuating 
bench, of Henrico County, Va., and of Elizabeth Ann 
Parsons, who was a product of the best Quaker morality, 
a superior manager and mother, a native of Richmond, Va., 
was born at ten o’clock in the morning of July 16, 1841 
in a refined home and grew up within a few hundred yards 
of the old corporation line west of the city, on a large lot 
that was known as “Bleak Hill,” surrounded by Jefferson, 
Belvidere and Canal streets. Grace Street Baptist Church 
was closer to the home than any other Sunday school and 
he was sent to that school so young that he wore dresses. 
Dr. Edward Kingford was the pastor and when the boy 
was old enough to be trusted alone he often heard the 
ereat preacher from the gallery of the church. No special 
notice was taken of him at home or at the church, but 
the sermons which he heard led to his conversion at the 
age of nine years. There was no religion in the home, and 
no one in the Sunday school said anything to him about 
religion, not even in the sessions of the class, until he 
was probably fourteen years old, when a stranger taught 
the class,—really taught it, and explained to the boys the 
plan of salvation. The boy thought to himself that he had 
known that several years and had never thought that it 
was religion. He had entered the English and Classical 
School of Mr. L. S. Squire (whom he now delights to 
honor), and at the age at which he heard of salvation, he 
was nearly ready for college. No valuation can be put on 
the training, outside of books which was given by Mr. 
Squire, and as Mr. Squire was a religious man, opening his 
school every session with the reading of the Bible and 
prayer, and was a Presbyterian, the boy desired to unite 
with the church of his instructor. He had not heard any- 


THE Oxtp GuaARD 15 


thing in the Grace Street Sunday School or congregation 
that even showed that it was Baptist and there was only 
one thing that held him back. His mother’s reverence for 
the Bible and her instructions in high morality led him 
to read the Word of God, especially the New Testament 
many times and he knew too much of the simplicity of 
Christianity to accept the relic of Romanism which the 
Presbyterians retained, viz.: infant baptism (sprinkling), 
and he would have gone with the Quakers if they had not 
repudiated the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Sup- 
per. The morality, order, neatness, simple manners, speech, 
and strictness of the Quakers excited his admiration. His 
Quaker friends had no word of evangelization fer him. I 
give below Dr. Pilcher’s own modest recital: 


After Dr. J. B. Jeter became pastor of Grace Street 
Church, he announced on a Sunday morning that since 
the building had been renovated, he would hold a series 
of meetings with the hope that the spiritual condition of 
the church would be much improved and that Dr. John 
A. Broadus would preach in the meeting. I had never 
attended a protracted meeting, a so-called revival meet- 
ing and had only heard that efforts were made in those 
meetings to convert sinners. I had been afraid to go. 
I had heard of the actions of the preachers and the con- 
duct of the wild young men in the excitement which the 
preachers sought to arouse, and the narratives always 
made cold chills run up and down my back. I have never 
attended a circus since I was a boy and had promised my 
mother not to attend again and I would have as soon gone 
to a circus as to one of those “revivals”! My idea of 
religion was based on piety and dignity and reverence, 


16 Livine EPiIsTLES 


and when Dr. Jeter quietly made his statement I deter- 
mined to attend the meeting, still having no definite idea 
that my love of God and His commandmants was the 
religion that was to be preached in the meeting, not 
really comprehending my relation to God, I said to my- 
self : “If God will allow me to do so I will become a Chris- 
tian during that meeting.” The meeting was held in the 
basement of the church a whole week and no invitation was 
given to sinners. I was afraid some one would speak to me 
as I had heard was done in such meetings and at the same 
time, although I was hiding behind a large furnace, I 
longed for human contact and a word of encouragement. 
During the second week the audience met in the upper 
main audience room of the house and I was in full view 
of the preacher. No invitation was given until Wednes- 
day night. It was the first I had ever heard and I did 
not quite comprehend it. I sat and thought that I had 
really desired to come into contact with religion and here | 
was my opportunity, and if I should not embrace the 
opportunity the meeting might close and I would not 
have another. Somebody prayed; then the hymn, Show 
Pity Lord, O Lord Forgive, was being sung and I went: 
to the front seat. Nothing was said to me except a few 
words by the superintendent of the Sunday school, Mr. 
John E. Henderson, expressing pleasure that I had taken 
the step forward, very much as if I had joined the church. 
As we were leaving the church, the Quaker lady with 
whom I had gone to the meeting, said to me: “John, did 
thee want to go up there?” I do not remember what I 
said to her, but I felt that I had now something to live 
for and I had then and there my call to the ministry of 
the gospel. That was in 1857 and I had become sixteen 


TeeOre GUARD ibe 


years old on the previous birthday. From that moment I 
felt myself thoroughly identified with the kingdom of 
Christ and went on the next (Thursday) afternoon to the 
prayer meeting. When Dr. Jeter requested those who 
desired prayer for them to kneel, I knelt and Dr. Jeter 
came near to me and said: “Here is a young man who 
has been converted and desires prayer.” I was surprised, 
not knowing how he could say that. I was baptized the 
following night, December 11, 1857. That is a red-letter 
day. 

I was immediately requested to unite with the young 
men’s prayer meeting that assembled each Saturday night 
and I can tell an interesting story about that meeting. 


I became an officer of the Sunday school, but was never 
one of its teachers. I was diligent in attending all the 
meetings in the building of whatever kind, and in 1860 
I permitted the church to license me to “exercise my 
gifts.” J was a student of Richmond College and was 
about to take the Master’s degree when the War (April, 
1861) scattered the professors and students, the trustees 
authorizing the secretary of the Board to give diplomas 
to the prospective graduates. I taught school, 1861-62, 
until after the battle of Seven Pines, when I came home 
to look after my mother’s family and her affairs, all 
having “refugeed” to Halifax County, Va. The Federal 
troops soon captured the railroads which entered the city 
from the north and I found myself identified with the 
military service. 


I preached in camp at Sidney Chapel, a mile west of 
the corporation line, and as I could at Dover Church, 
Goochland County, Va., where I met my wife. When the 


18 Living Epist.Es 


War closed I was the inheritor of the responsibility of 
caring for three generations of my father’s family, nine 
helpless persons, who had up to that time been considered 
wealthy. I had sold during the War, $1,800 of Con- 
 federate money for $50 in gold and _ silver. With an 
additional amount of a few dollars, I went into the coal 
and wood business with Benjamin Cottrell, my brother- 
in-law. After the dissolution of the partnership of Cottrell 
and Pilcher, I continued the business under my own name, 
building up a thriving business, until July 1, 1870 when I 
could no longer resist the call to the pastorate, and recog- 
nizing the changes which had been made by death and 
marriage among my dependents, I gave the business to 
my brother, William Stanton Pilcher, and engaged in 
evangelistic meetings until I took the pastorate of the 
Covington and Healing Springs Churches in November, 
1871. During the nine-year pastorate, I organized six 
churches and built seven houses of worship. This activity 
attracted the attention of the denomination and I was called 
to and became the secretary of the Sunday school and Bible 
Board of the General Association, December 1, 1880. I 
might write a volume about the work of that Board during 
the twenty-eight years of my service, but I cannot do so 
without relating events that need not be called up. Tons 
of Bibles and religious literature were distributed; hun- 
dreds of Sunday schools were organized and fostered ; 
scores of churches were organized; hundreds of persons 
were baptized by the devoted men employed by the Board, 
of whom the world was not worthy; and the contributions 
from the churches to the different enterprizes of the de- 
nomination increased from about $19,000 to more than 
$150,000. 


Tur Oxtp Guarb 19 


The envy of the friends of the State Mission Board 
caused them to try, in the five years from 1890 to 1895, to 
consolidate the boards and failed in 1895, by a vote which 
showed a majority of ten to one. Another attempt was 
made in 1908 and failed of the necessary majority, but | 
had redeemed the Board from death in 1880 and released 
it from danger in 1895, and was not willing to continue 
such strenuous career and resigned to the General Asso- 
ciation, at the meeting in the First Baptist Church, Rich- 
mond, Va., in November, 1908. 


After I finished the work of gathering to my office the 
thousands of dollars worth of books that were in the hands 
of the colporters and shipped them to the other Board, I 
was without a cent of income and without employment or 
the prospect of employment, and went to visit my long- 
loved friend, Dr. Charles Manly, in Lexington, Va. it 
was willing to do anything to obtain my “keep” and I 
supplied for little churches and had two little pastorates. 
After I passed the seventy-fifth mile-stone, IT could not 
obtain anything to do, and it broke my heart to be out of 
work for which I had given up all I had inherited, all 1 
had made, and into which I had entered with the purpose 
of preaching to the end of life. The heart trouble proved 
to be a heart leakage and I am now handicapped with pain 
that will take me off (angina pectoris) at any moment. 


Through the providence of God, I am not dependent 
on anybody and I am willing to work without any remu- 
neration, but I am out of the line of succession and my 
white hair is an insurmountable obstacle. I have been 
gray since I was fifteen years old. My salvation was 
assured in my boyhood and my religion is my life. I have 


20) Living Episties 


lived solely for God’s service ever since I was converted. 
I have never desired place in civil, military, or church life. 
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 


Since my relation to God is my life, Dr. Sydnor will 
notice that I have confined my short autobiography to 
religious matters. I am glad to write of the goodness and 
abounding grace of God in Christ Jesus. | 


The Grove Avenue Church, Richmond, Va., is the out- 
growth of Dr. Pilcher’s work at Sidney Chapel in connec- 
tion with his military duties in the Civil War days. Sidney 
Chapel, organized as Sidney Church on March 1, 1868 
and removed twice to new locations, is now Grove Avenue, 
numbering about 1,000 members. On March 1, 1911, Dr. 
Pilcher delivered the Semi-Centennial discourse. 


Dr. Pilcher’s life is saturated with a mass of most. in- 
teresting information which cannot be brought into these 
condensed sketches, but I am constrained to relate a most 
singular connection with the number nine, which seems to 
point to eighty-nine and even to ninety and nine,—The 
Lord’s will being done. 


He was converted at nine years, licensed at nineteen, 
ordained at twenty-nine, elected secretary at thirty-nine, 
received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Richmond 
College at forty-nine, his troubles about the Board began 
at fifty-nine, the Board was destroyed when he was sixty- 
nine, and he gave up all hope of being pastor again at 
seventy-nine. He is now eighty-two and on the way to 
the next period of nine. 


Tuer Oxtp Guarp 91 


Condensed summary of a distinguished and useful life, 
and still active: 


Married Miss Mary Lucy DuVal, Manakin, Va., Decem- 
ber 21, 1865, and there were twelve children, seven boys 
and five girls. 


Pastor Sidney Church, 1868-1871. 
Pastor in Alleghany and Bath, 1871-1880. 
Secretary S. S. & B. B. Gen. Assn., 1880-1908. 
Trustee University Richmond since 1888. 
Moderator Portsmouth Association, 1889-1892. 
Doctor of Divinity, Richmond College, 1890. 
President General Association, 1910-1913. 
Vice-President So. Baptist Convention, 1914. 
President Petersburg Association, 1919-1921. 
Executive Committee Antisaloon League. 
President Va. Bap. Hist. Soc. 
Ex-president Convention Social Workers. 
President Petersburg Chapter Alumni of University of 
Richmond. 
President “Old Guard,” 1928. 


99 - ; Living EPpistLEs 


MAJ. T. D. COGHILL 


A man is known by the 
company he keeps; and yet 
who would have suspected 
that Gen. Robert E. Lee, after 
mingling for fifty-four years 
with the spirits above would 
seek a place in our earthly 
camp? Look at the picture 
and see for yourself. 

Robert E. Lee was a soldier 
whose military tactics and 
generalship are admired and 
fj. studied by the rulers of na- 
» tions; yet no man was a 
greater lover of peace, quiet 
and home. . 

When the Virginia Historical Society wished to im- 
personate the great general of May 22-30, 1922, they at 
once turned to Maj. T. D. Coghill for their type to 
occupy the place in the pageant. The yell of welcome 
which went up from the old Confederates testified to the 
truth of the likeness. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Caroline County, 
Va., on the twenty-third of August, 1844, which date 
meant that he would be just ripe for the Confederate 
States Army in 1862, with academic education left out. 
He was baptized at Thornsburg, Va., by Rev. F. N. Kragle 
in October, 1861. On December 24, 1867, he married 


Ture Oxrp Guarp 93 


Miss M. R. Campbell, of Caroline County, Va., Rev. James 
D. Coleman officiating. Of this union there were four 
children. At the time of the Semi-Centennial he was a 
member of Bethel Church in the Goshen Association. He 
is now a member of Calvary Church and superintendent 
of its Sunday school. 

In his business career he still retained the military 
instincts which his early experience with his noble chief 
had cultivated, and was the first sheriff which the voters 
were permitted to elect after reconstruction times, which 
office he held for seventeen years, and has been continuous- 
ly in official positions, either of the United States Govern- 
ment, or of the County to the present time. While rejoic- 
ing in his farm life, he has held positions of U. 8. post 
office inspector, county treasurer, and U. 8. marshal. 

His war experience would make an interesting volume. 
He enlisted at the age of seventeen, was In every engage- 
ment in which his regiment took part during the entire 
war, except one, then was on furlough, was not a prisoner 
at any time, only wounded once, shot through the body 
on the first day of April, 1865, in the Battle of Five 
Forks about 6:00 Pp. m., and was carried by four men of 
his regiment to Fords Station, N. & W. R. R., on a litter, 
there put in an ambulance, carried to Farmville, Va., was 
placed in hospital at 9:00 p. m., on Thursday, the sixth 
day of April, and General Lee stopped the fight at 9:00 
A. M., on Sunday, the ninth day of April, 1865. Just two 
months afterwards he reached his home. 

His prototype, Gen. Lee, would give him his approval, 
while his brethren delight in him. 

Brave in war; in peace faithful to trust; in church and 
home fulfilling his duty; would that more of us could 
boast of such a record. 


24 Livine EPiIsTLes 


R. DUDLEY DIGGS 


R. Dudley Diggs, son of the 
Rev. Isaac Diggs, a Baptist 
minister, was born near Stev- 
ensville, King and Queen 
County, Va., on the twenty- 
fourth day of July, 1845. On 
the fourteenth of August, 
1858, when thirteen years of 
age, he was baptized into the 
fellowship of Mattaponi 
Church, at Newington on the 
Mattaponi River, by the Rev. 
Richard Hugh Bagby, D. D. 
He received his education at 
Stevensville Academy, Josiah 
Ryland, teacher, and at Col- 
umbian College, Washington, D. C. He served four years 
in the Confederate Army, in Henry A. Wise’s brigade, 
Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment, was shot the seventeenth 
day of June, 1864, and left on the field to die, but through 
the mercy of God was spared, and has served sixty-six years 
in the army of the Lord. 


Brother Diggs has been married twice. His first wife 
was Miss Ella Samuel, whom he married in the Mattaponi 
Church on the fifth day of June, 1868. On the fifth of 
June, 1909, he married Miss Elvina Courtney, of Little 
Plymouth, King and Queen County, Va, 


Tue Otp Guarp 25 


He was a delegate from the Mattaponi Church to the 
Semi-Centennial in 1873, and again from the same church 
to the Centennial in November, 1923, and was present at 
both meetings. He was a member of the Mattaponi Church 
in 1873 and of the Leigh Street Church, Richmond, Va., 
in 1923. 


All his life, until the last two or three years, brother 
Diggs was a farmer, and a hard-working man. He and 
Mrs. Diggs are now residents of Richmond at 2316 Hast 
Broad Street, on Church Hill. 


26 Livine EpistLes 


REV. A. B. DUNAWAY, D. D. 


This excellent man and 
useful minister was born in 
Lancaster County, Va., in 
1842. He was the son of 
Raleigh and Anna Dunaway. 
His boyhood was spent on the 
farm. He was educated at 
Lancaster Academy. When 
about sixteen years old he 
was baptized, in 1858, into 
Lebanon Baptist Church, 
Rappahannock Association, 
by Rev. Addison Hall. 

Brother Dunaway entered 
the ministry when he was 
twenty-nine years old, and 
was ordained in 1871 at Lebanon Church by a presbytery 
consisting of the following well-known ministers: William 
H. Kirk, W. F. Broaddus, George W. Beale, George North- 
ern, and Thomas 8. Dunaway. 


His first pastorate comprised his home church, Lebanon 
and Farnham, where he remained seven years. His next 
pastorate was in Caroline County seven years. From Caro- 
line County he went to Churchland, Va., and remained 
twelve years. Then he went to Port Norfolk, for seven 
years. Hence he went to Oxford, N. C., and remained 


Tur Oxtp Guarp ON. 


seven years. Coming back to Virginia he became pastor 
at Accomac for twelve years. His six pastorates filled out 
fifty-two years. 


While not a college man, Richmond College recognized 
Mr. Dunaway’s character and culture by making him a 
Doctor of Divinity. As far back as 1884, Roanoke Baptist 
Church, when seeking a pastor, sought to allure him away 
from his Caroline charge, but in vain. Like other strong 
pastors, he preferred to serve appreciative country churches. 
After a long and useful life of service, he lives quietly at 
Drummondtown, Va. 


28 Livina EPisTLEes 


REV. ROBERT ANDREW FOLKES 


His name is Robert Andrew 
Folkes; born, December 7, 
1846. His parents were Capt. 
Joseph Folkes and Hannah 
Irby, of Charles City County, 
Va. He attended the private 
schools of his county, and was 
prepared to enter college at 
Cedar Grove English and 
Classical Academy, complet- 
ing a full accredited high 
school course with three years 
of Latin, two of Greek, one 
of German, Science, History, 
English, and Math.—includ- 
ing Geometry, Trigonometry, 
and Surveying. At the age of seventeen years he entered 
the Confererate army and served to the close of the War 
in the Twenty-Third Virginia cavalry under Col. Chas. 
T. O’Ferral. He made a profession of faith in Jesus 
Christ in 1862 at Trinity M. E. Church, Richmond, Va., 
under the preaching of Rev. Jno. E. Edwards, but was 
baptized by Rev. John F. Parkinson at Emmaus Church, 
New Kent, Va., who afterwards married. him to Miss 
Eliza Ellen Crump, December 15, 1869. He married his 
second wife, Miss Mary Edna Montague, September 24, 
1901. 


Tue Oxtp Guarp 29 


The only evangelistic service rendered by him before 
his ordination, was while teaching, which he commenced 
in the fall of 1870, holding prayer meeting services and 
Sunday school in the destitute places near his schools. 
His ordination was asked for by Providence Church, King 
and Queen County, Va., where he was ordained on the 
fifth Lord’s day in October, 1880. Rev. W. HE. Wiatt, 
John W. Ragland, Richard Fox, Rev. J. W. Street, and 
one whose name is not now recalled, constituting the 
presbytery. 

He has been pastor of Providence Church twice, first, 
1880 to 1884; Zoas Church, Middlesex County, 1881 to 
1895, fourteen years; Westville Church, Mathews County, 
1883 to 1888, five years; Union Church, Gloucester Coun- 
ty, 1888 to 1901, thirteen years; HEbenezah Church, 
Gloucester County, 1882 to 1894, twelve years; Providence 
Church, Gloucester County, 1890 to 1902, twelve years; 
Beech Grove Church, five years; Liberty Church, New 
Kent County, 1900 to 1913, thirteen years; and Good 
Hope Church, two years. He is now serving Baulah and 
Petsworth, Gloucester County, since 1913. 


He has an excellent library and has read and studied 
as much as a busy, active life would permit. He has a 
certificate of proficiency in Civil Engineering and had to 
engage in it for over thirty years in land and water 
surveys. | 

He was a messenger from Emmaus, New Kent County, 
Va., to General Association in 1873 (Semi-Centennial). 
In 1923, he represented Beulah at Petsworth, Peninsula 
Association. He has taken examinations which entitle 
him to teach in any: accredited high school as principal. 
He was superintendent of schools fifteen and three-fourths 


30 Livinae EPiIsTLes 


years in Gloucester County, Va., voluntarily resigning. 
He carries upon his person the marks of military service, 
a wound received June 7th, sixty years ago at Lynchburg, 
Va. (Gen. Hunter’s raid). Since his ordination the 
records of his churches will show that he baptized over 
1,000 and has assisted in many evangelistic meetings. 


The highest salary ever paid him for one year would 
not half support and educate his family, hence he was 
under the necessity to add secular work. His expenses 
may be guessed, when it is known that besides his own 
fourteen children there were others dependent on his help. 
God’s grace has sustained him and he will accept His 
promise. 


| Tur Oxtp Guarp 31 


H. M. GRESHAM 


“That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; 
that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the 
similitude of a palace.” 


“T have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong 
and the Word of God abidetl. in you, and ye have overcome the 
wicked one.” 


The highest standard of 
youth is mens sana in cor- 
pore sano, to maintain a 
strong mind in a strong body, 
with moral excellence should 
be the aim of every young 
man. It may be said that 
this high ideal was exemplh- 
fied in the adolescent period 
of the subject-of this sketch. 
Born on the sixteenth of 
December, 1852, in Richmond 
County, Va., he grew up to 
manhood with only the edu- 
cation obtained in private 
schools and in the public 
schools of Middlesex County, where he applied himself 
diligently to his studies, desiring to prepare himself for 
the position of traveling salesman, which occupation he 
has successfully pursued for over forty-one years. In the 
fourth year of his age he removed with his parents to 
live on a farm in Middlesex County, and was baptized on 


32 Livina EPISTLES © 


profession of his faith in the Savior in Urbanna Creek 
when only thirteen years old by Rev. Dr. John Pollard, 
uniting with the Clarke’s Neck Baptist Church where his 
membership remained until he removed to Baltimore, Md., 
in 1884 transferring his church relation to the Immanuel 
Baptist Church of which Rev. Dr. A. C. Dixon was then 
pastor. In 1888, he returned to Tappahannock, Va., and 
united with the Beale Memorial Baptist Church of which 
the beloved Frank B. Beale was the pastor. For two 
years Mr. Gresham was superintendent of Clarke’s Neck 
Sunday School at Saluda, and has been the superintendent 
of the Beale Memorial Sunday School for the past ten 
years, and is now the senior deacon of that church. In 
1885, on the twenty-fifth day of August, Mr. Gresham led 
to the matrimonial altar Miss Alice May Siller, of Evans- 
ville, Ill., the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Fred 
3. Jewell of that city. Two promising sons, one of whom 
is now married, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gresham as 
the result of this union. 


The present home of the happy couple is at Tappahan- 
nock, Va. 


In 1873, our Brother Gresham was delegate to the 
Semi-Centennial Association of Virginia from the Clarke’s 
Neck Baptist Church, and at the great Centennial gather- 
ing in Richmond in November, 1923, he was one of the 
representatives of the Beale’s Memorial Baptist Church, 
both in the Rappannock Association. . 


THE Oxtp Guarp 33 


C. G. HATHAWAY 


Adam was placed by his 
Creator in the Garden of 
Eden, where he remained un- 
til sin drove him from his 
heritage. C. G. Hathaway 
was planted in a section of 
God’s country so beautiful 
that it may well be termed 
“Hden.” Unlike our first 
parent, he did not permit sin 
to cause his banishment; nor 
did his wife tempt him to eat 
fruit which did not belong to 
him. He has been wise 
enough to till the soil, and 
content to eat the fruit of his 
labors. Those of us who are country-bred know, full well, 
that he or she who has been reared to manhood or woman- 
hood entirely within city limits has been deprived of a 
joy~and a knowledge which can never be experienced in 
after life. The nearer one keeps to nature, the easier it 
is for him to keep in touch with nature’s Creator. 


C. G. Hathaway was born near The Plains, Fauquier 
County, Va., on February 6, 1850. His home to-day is 
near The Plains, Fauquier County, Va. He was born 
into the spiritual kingdom in 1868 and baptized into 
Long Branch Church in November, 1868, by Rev. J. A. 


34 Livine EPISTLES 


Haynes. He was married June 1, 1881, and has been 
deacon long enough to have lost entirely the proverbial 
“short horn,” having served forty-five useful years in the 
the deaconate. His pastor has entrusted him with the 
handling of his salary for twenty-three years. What more 
may we say except to urge our young men of this genera- 
tion to cling to the soil where the best men of our land 
have found health, happiness, and usefulness? Our sub- 
ject attended the Semi-Centennial in 1873, but being 
providentially hindered in 1923, was content to have his 
daughter represent him at the Centennial. 


Tue Oxup GuarRD | 35 


GEORGE C. JEFFERSON 


' This is another of the 
younger members of our 
group. George C. Jefferson 
entered life on the twelfth 
of June, 1851, at the home of 
his parents at Jones’ Bluff, 
Ala. His happy boyhood was 
spent in the country school 
and on the farm. Blessed is 
the boy whose early training 
is in the country and on the 
farm. 

Alabama is an_ excellent 
place in which to be born, but 
Richmond is a good place to 
dwell after one has passed his 
youthful years. After attending school on the Winterham 
Farm in Amelia County, Va., at the age of eighteen years 
he entered the insurance business, choosing Richmond as 
his field, where with energy, honesty, and uncommon sense 
he built a business which has grown with the growth of 
the city of his adoption. 


George C. Jefferson was baptized into the membership 
of Fairmount Baptist Church in Nelson County in 1868 
by Rev. Wm. J. Shipman. In February, 1921, he married 
Miss Mary Eleanora Carroll, 5642 Maple Avenue, St. 
Louis, Mo. In January, 1869, he united with the Second 


36 Livine EPiIstLEs 


Baptist Church, Richmond, which he afterward served as 
a deacon. This church is indebted to his persistent labor 
for the excellent pictures now hanging in their church 
parlor of all the pastors of this historic church. The 
writer of these sketches is prepared to testify that this 
generous gift cost him time, patience and dollars. 


For a number of years he was an active member of the 
State Mission Board and co-worker with William Ellyson, 
during the entire term of the latter’s service. Of the 
thousands at the Semi-Centennial of 1873 who saw the 
key and heard the clanking in the rusty lock of the Cul- 
peper jail, there are remaining some hundreds. It brings 
a thrill to Jefferson to-day, as he recalls this occasion. 


For fifty-five years he has been studying the Religious 
Herald, and paying for the privilege, and thinks it. worth 
all that is has cost him. The Herald is an excellent in- 
surance risk without the risk, since its policies deal with 
living subjects and pay liberal dividends. 


Tur Onp GuarRD ay 


MINETRY JONES 


When Minetry Jones was a 
young man in Richmond all 
who knew him were im- 
pressed by his handsome face, 
genial manner and interest 
in the affairs of the kingdom 
of God. He was born in the 
country home of his father, 
Thomas 8. Jones, near Bowl- 
ing Green, Caroline County, 
on June 4, 1855. He and the 
well-known James Leigh 
Jones, associated with Charles 
H. Winston in the conduct ot 
the Richmond Female Insti- 
tute, were brothers. His 
brother afterwards became a manufacturer of tobacco, and 
has been dead many years. 


Minetry Jones became a member of the Second Baptist 
Church in February, 1873, and attended the Semi-Centen- 
nial Meeting of the General Association in June, 1873. 
He went to live in St. Joseph, Mo., December 31, 1882, 
and since that date has been a member of the First Baptist 
Church, and deacon for many years, and president of 
the church corporation. For twenty-six years he has been 
moderator of the St. Joseph Baptist Association. For 
several years he has been assistant moderator of the 


Ry bale Livine Episties 


Baptist Association of Missouri, is chairman of the Execu- 
tive Committee of that state body, and is trustee of 
William Jewell College, the leading college of the Middle 
West and the leading Baptist institution in the State. 
At the session of the Southern Baptist Convention at 
Atlanta he was elected vice-president of the body. For 
forty years he has been in the hat, caps, gloves, and straw 
goods manufacturing business. 

It was a pleasure to meet him at the Centennial gather- 
ing in November, 1923, and see how young and strong 
he is. Yet he is nearing the limit of three score and ten, 
and is one of nature’s noblemen. 


Tur Oxp GuaRD | 39 


ee LY 


“Bring up a child in the way he should go and even when he 
is old he will not depart from it.” 

The subject of this sketch 
when scarcely sixteen years 
old attended the Semi-Cen- 
tennial Meeting in Richmond 
in June, 1873, from the Dan 
River Church in the Dan 
River Association. 

He is now living in Scotts- 
burg and is an active mem- 
ber of the Scottsburg Church. 
He made his appearance in 
the home of his parents on 
the eighth of January, 1857. 
He was educated in P. H. 
Carpenter’s School for Boys 
in Halifax, and in the sum- 
mer of 1870 was baptized into the membership of Dan 
River Church by Rev. R. N. Lee. 

On the twenty-sixth of November, 1887, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Ada B. Crews, Rev. H. G. Crews, 
the father of the bride, officiating. To this union were 
born six children, one dying in infancy. The five living 
children are in happy homes and living active Christian 
lives. 

Brother Lacy was clerk of Dan River Association from 
1879 to 1886, was moderator in 1904 and 1905. In 1902 


40 Livina Episties 


he did colportage work for his association under Dr. J. M. 
Pilcher. In 1883 he moved to Scottsburg and in 1884 
changed his membership to the Scottsburg Church and was 
elected deacon. He served as superintendent of Sunday 
school and church clerk for thirty years. To both of these 
offices he is now referee and assistant. For many years 
he has been chairman of the Executive Committee of the 
Dan River Association. 

Besides looking after his farms, he was for thirty-five 
years successfully engaged in the mercantile and leaf 
tobacco business. He is president of the Scottsburg Bank, 
to which position he was elected upon its organization in 
1907. 

In 1899 he was elected to the House of Delegates and 
served without opposition for six years, and in 1915 was 
elected to the State Senate for four years. 

In 1919 he resigned to accept the position of clerk of 
the County, and in the same year was reélected for a 
term of eight years. In 1922 he gave up this position and 
1S now enjoying the rich and abundant fruitage of his 
labors in his comfortable home in Scottsburg. 


THE ‘Oup GUARD 41 


CHARLES A. MERCER, D. D. 8. 


It seems easier to tell of 
those who are known at sec- 
ond-hand or through general 
acquaintance than it is to 
talk about an intimate as- 
sociate. Friendship is apt to 
give bias to one’s estimate. 
But since members of “The 
Old Guard” belong to the 
same family, insofar as unity 
of thought, purpose and feel- 
ing are concerned, there is 
no need for apologies. 

Dr. Charles A. Mercer is 
a fun-loving soul. No one in 
his presence is ever permitted 
to be glum or in bad humor. Like Abou Ben Adhem, he 
“loves his fellowmen,” and yet, he has his very decided 
likes and dislikes. He is strictly human, but never per- 
mits a cruel thought to dwell in his mind. He is a good 
sport and always plays fair. His criticisms are frank, 
and sometimes scathing when aimed at guilt. None more 
ready to help or sympathize with the needy. An excerpt 
from the News Leader shall take the place of further 
friendly bias. 


“Dy, ©. A. Mercer, until recently a resident of Rich- 
mond, and now living at Bon Air, has just celebrated the 


42 . Livine Episties 

fiftieth anniversary of his continuous practice of dentistry 
in Richmond. The only other dentist practicing for 
fifty years in Richmond is believed to be Dr. George F. 
Keesee. Dr. Mercer, when asked to-day when he took up 
his profession, said: ‘On April 1, 1874—-wasn’t that a 
fine ‘April fool’ to put over on the people? (It so 
happens that this writer was one of those same ‘April 
fools’ put over on the people that same day.) Dr. Mercer 
practiced here for a short while in 1873 before his grad- 
uation from the Baltimore College of Dental, Surgery, so 
that in reality his practice has extended over a period of 
more than half a century. And it may be well to add 
that when Dr. Mercer began the practice of his profession 
on April 1, 1874, the dental authorities of Richmond and 
the State did not share with him the suggestion that it 
was a “fine April fool.? He served three years as secretary 
and treasurer of the first board of state dental examiners 
in Virginia during the term of Governor Fitzhugh Lee, 
and another three years under Governor Tyler, and was 
instrumental in securing the passage of the first law regu- 
lating the practice of dentistry in the State in 1886. 

“Dr. Mercer is a life member of the National Dental 
Association, Virginia State Dental Association, and Rich- 
mond City Dental Society. He is past master of the St. 
John’s League, No. 36, Masons, and past chancellor of 
_ Syracuse Lodge, No. 5, Knights of Pythias. He belongs 
to the Second Baptist Church. Dr. Mercer is seventy 
years of age. When asked how long he expected to prac- 
tice, he said, ‘Just as long as I live’.” 

As evidence of their esteem the Richmond City Dental 
Society has presented him with a handsome silver tea 
service, which of course is highly prized by the worthy 
recipient. 


Tue Otp Guarp : 43 


Dr. Mercer writes under recent date: “Yes, fifty years 
is a long time and much water has passed under the bridge 
in that time, and few are left who were with us fifty years 
ago. I was a delegate to the Virginia Baptist Association 
in 1873 and again in 1923, of which I am very proud. I was 
just twenty years old in 1873, but was full of enthusiasm 
and anxiety for the advancement of the Church of God. 
We have done great things, but, oh! how much more 
there is yet to be done and can be done! My best love 
and prayer for blessings on you.” He says that he has 
done only what the average church member would do, but 
others say that if such service as he has rendered upon 
important committees and various church and Sunday 
school activities were rendered by the “average member,” 
our Christianity would be on a higher plane. It detracts 
nothing from the pulpit, when it is said that there are 
persons in the congregation who look beyond the preacher 
and listen more attentively to Mercer’s singing than they 
do to the pastor’s preaching. This may be said, how- 
ever, if the preachers would fill their places in the pulpits 
as well as Mercer fills his place in the choir, there would be 
more attentive listeners. 


44 Livine Epistes 


J.J. MONTAGUE 


When we see “Second Bap- 
tist Church” written on the 
face of so many great Baptist 
movements, SO many anni- 
versaries, decennials, semi- 
centennials, and centennials, 
and then see the names of so 
many great men, both minis- 
ters, city officials, and promi- 
nent laymen, we feel like call- 
ing it the seed plant, and also 
the propagating plant. Now 
go back and read that long 
sentence over again, while 
you are told that one J. J. 
‘ Montague is also a member of © 
that same body. When you ask him about the Semi- 
Centennial of 1873, he says, “Second Baptist.” Ask him 
about the Centennial, he answers, “Second Baptist.” 


~ It so happens, however, that he was born in Norfolk 
County, Va., in 1838, and was baptized in Norfolk in 
1956 by Dr. Tiberius Graccrus Jones, and was educated in 
the private and public schools. He married Miss Kate War- 
ren, of Norfolk, Va., in 1867, Dr. T. G. Jones officiating. 
Of this union were born two children. 


It is the solid rank and file of a church which keeps the 
wheels turning. 


Tue Onp Guarp 45 


M. R. PACE 


Surely there must be in 
existence somewhere a photo- 
graph more modern than the 
one which heads this sketch, 
but this brother prefers to let 
us understand how he feels 
rather than how a man born 
on the twenty-ninth of Feb- 
ruary, 1852, would be sup- 
posed to look in 1924. Pos- 
sibly the real reason for ab- 
sence of any sign of a senex 
is the fact that he can claim 
only eighteen celebrations. 
His photo testifies according- 
ly. If all of us could have 
been born on the twenty-ninth of February, our group 
could have presented a more youthful appearance. 

M. R. Pace was born in Middlesex County, Va., Feb- 
ruary 29, 1852, and spent his early life, where all boys 
should be reared, on the farm. His aptness and fondness 
for letters led him to apply himself to the printing préss 
where he learned his trade as a printer, in which occupa- 
tion he has spent most of his life. As an evidence of 
the wisdom of his choice, he is now entrusted with the 
most difficult and rare accomplishment of proofreader. 

Mr. Pace was educated in the private schools during 
the war between the States, before public schools were in 


46 Livine EpistiLes 


existence, and was baptized into the fellowship of Grace 
Street Church in the spring of 1866, by Rev. Harvie 
Hatcher, then assistant pastor to Dr. J. B. Jeter. On 
September 25, 1872, he married Miss Nannie B. Walden in 
Richmond, Va., the officiating minister being Rev. N. W. 
Wilson, pastor of Grace Street Church. Of their ten 
children, five are still living. There are also seven grand- 
children and one great-grandchild. 

Among the early efforts to help his fellowmen, he, with 
others of the Young Men’s Missionary Society, organized 
a Sunday school from which sprang the church to which 
Rev. Samuel C. Clopton was called to the pastorate. Later, 
he moved to the neighborhood of Pine Street Church, of 
which Rev. J. B. Hutson was then pastor, and cast his 
lot and work with this church whose membership was then 
only two hundred and forty-seven. When it had increased 
to eighteen hundred members, he joined the Randolph 
Street Baptist Church, newly organized, where he re- 
mained for eight years, six and a half of these he was 
superintendent of the Sunday school and also served as 
deacon under the pastorate of Rev. W. T. Jolly. Upon 
leaving Randolph Street Church, he returned to Pine — 
Street Church, where he served as deacon until after the 
death of Dr. Hutson; then returned to his mother church, 
race Street Church, October, 1919, where he now enjoys 
the retrospect of his useful life and the anticipation of 
further fruition of his hopes. 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 47 


WaW. BEET 


The subject of this sketch 
insists that there be no 
lengthy write-up of his his- 
tory, but permit him to have 
the pleasure of reading about 
the rest of “The Guard.” A 
less modest man might feel 
that "justice required a vo- 
luminous notice. 

The Sacred Book tells us 
that “no prophet is without 
honor, save in his own coun- 
try.” When our Saviour 
made this statement he was 
surrounded by folk who were 
not in sympathy with his 
teachings. Our friend, W. W. Pitt, is fortunate enough 
to have his lot cast among men of his own stamp and 
principles. Our voters are sometimes pursuaded by de- 
signing politicians to cast their franchise to men unworthy 
or unfit for the position to be filled. When a man is 
needed to take charge of monetary interests, and handle 
the cash, the politician is turned aside and the key to the 
vault is intrusted to such a man as W. W. Pitt. Since 
January 1, 1912, he has been the efficient treasurer of 
Middlesex County. 


48 Living EPIsTLES 


He was born at Harmony, Middlesex County, Va., 
August 20, 1855, and had the joy of an amphibious life 
with the fish, the oysters, and the landmen of Middlesex 
County. 


In 1872 he was baptized in Whitings Creek by Rev. 
W. W. Wood into the fellowship of Harmony Grove 
Church, and is still a member of the same. 


On July 2, 1895, he married Miss Jessie M. Ramsey, of 
Baltimore, Md., Rev. E. Y. Mullins officiating. Of this 
union there are two children, Elizabeth Ramsey and 


W. W., Jr. 


Tur Ontp Guarb AQ 


A. H. ROBINS 


Of A. H. Robins it may be 
said that he is consistent and 
persistent. He is consistent 
in that he has never swerved 
from the path of duty. He 
is persistent in that after be- 
ing born in Gloucester Coun- 
ty, Va., in 1842, he still lives, 
notwithstanding a wound re- 
ceived in his head, while serv- 
ing in the Twelfth Virginia 
Infantry in 1863. He was 
the first president of the 
Young Men’s Christian As- 
sociation in the Second Bap- 
tist Church, Richmond, and 
remained to see it a success, and was a deacon in the 
church until the time limit debarred him. He entered the 
drug business when about sixteen years old, and has con- 
tinued to put up prescriptions for sixty-seven years. He was 
baptized into the fellowship of the Second Baptist Church 
in 1857 by Dr. R. B. C. Howell. 

He was present at the Semi-Centennial as member of 
Second Baptist Church, and still a member of that same 
historic church in 1923. In 1866 he married Miss T. E. 
Haywood, Gloucester County, Rev. W. E. Wiatt officiating. 

At the battle of Sailors’ Creek in 1865, he was captured 
by the enemy and held for sixty days, when he was released, 
to spend his days from that time to the present in a per- 
sistent, consistent, useful life. 


50 Livine EPisTLEs 


JUNIUS CLAY STAPLES 


“them that honor Me I will honor.” “With long life will I 
satisfy him and show him my salvation.” 


Not the least worthy of a 
place in the ranks of “The Old 
Guard” is our honored broth- 
er, J. C. Staples, of Harrison- 
burg, Va. Born October 23, 
1846 in Richmond, Va., he 
was converted under the 
preaching of Rev. A. B. 
Earle, the distinguished Bap- 
tist evangelist, in meetings In 
that city, and baptized into 
the fellowship of the First 
Baptist Church by the pastor, 
Rev. Jno. L. Burrows, D. D. 
in the spring of 1869. He, 
early in life, gave promise of 
his consecration and usefulness in the Kingdom of 
Righteousness. Being noted for his modesty, he never 
sought honor or distinction among his brethren. In his 
youthful days he attended private schools in Albemarle 
County until 1863, when he became a student at Midway 
Academy in Augusta County, taught by Rev. Wm. Pinker- 
ton, a Presbyterian minister. In his early manhood he 
went to reside in Harrisonburg, Va., and was there united 
in marriage to Miss Emma Scott Devier on August 30, 
1876, the officiating minister being Rev. Wm. A. Whites- 


Tur Oxp Guarp 51 


carver. Of this union there were ten children, seven boys 
and three girls. Three boys died while young, and there 
are now living four boys and three girls. The mother 
of these children was removed from the home by death 
on November 27, 1909, and on December 16, 1916, brother 
Staples married Miss Lilah Roberts, of Macon, Ga., the 
officiating. minister being Rev. E. W. Sammons. No 
children were born of this marriage, and the second Mrs. 
Staples still survives to brighten the pathway and cheer 
the life of this beloved and esteemed brother, whose career 
has been that of a devout Christian, and a devoted follower 
of his Saviour. For a number of years he was an inter- 
ested and active member of the Augusta Association and 
for several terms its moderator. He has long been a most 
useful and influential member of the Harrisonburg Baptist 
Church, for thirty-five years a deacon, and for thirty-six 
years the superintendent of the Sunday school, and ever 
on the alert to promote the interest of every worthy cause 
within and without the church. It is superfluous to say 
that. a brother of such high character should be held in 
high esteem by his brethren and friends, and that the 
fruits of his labors and endeavors should redound to the 
glory of his Lord. Real estate and insurance has been the 
occupation of our brother until about four years ago, and 
at present he is justice of the peace for the City of Har- 
risonburg, and was a messenger from the Harrisonburg 
Church to the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the General 
Baptist Association of Virginia, in Richmond in 1873, but 
was unable to attend the Centennial in 1923. 7 

Notwithstanding his many years he, at this writing, 
retains his physical and mental forces to a remarkable 
degree and has found the gracious promise verified to 
him, “As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever 
be.” 


59 Livine EPpistTLEes 


CHRISTOPHER THOMAS SUTHERLIN, Jr. 


C. T. Sutherlin, Jr., is a 
son of the man who had the 
honor of introducing in the 
General Association the reso- 
lution which secured the for- 
mation of the Ministers’ Re- 
lief Fund, C. T. Sutherlin, 
Sr. He was born at Brook- 
lyn, Halifax County, Va., 
December 3, 1849, and was 
baptized at the early age of 
eleven years, near Brooklyn, 
on November 9, 1860. . H's 
education was obtained in the 
private schools near Brook- 
lyn, and he is a farmer. He 

has been clerk of his church forty years, deacon thirty- 

four years, and Sunday school superintendent. 

He was a messenger from Arbor Church, Dan River 
Association at the Semi-Centennial Meeting in 1873, and 
has been a member of that church sixty-three years. He 
was with us in the Centennial in 1923. 

His post office address is Sutherlin, Halifax County. 
He has attended the Dan River Association forty-six 
times, the last thirty-three sessions consecutively. He has 
been clerk of the Association twenty-three years. He 

~ began his fight against the barrooms in 1881, when there 
- were sixty-three open saloons in Halifax County. 

This record shows what a devout Christian and valuable 

citizen he is. 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 53 


ROBERT WALTON SYDNOR 


Capt. Robert Walton Syd- 
nor, son of Rev. Thomas 
White and Blanche McClan- 
ahan Sydnor, was born April 
12, 1847 in Nottoway Coun- 
ty, Va. Beginning his early 
education in the log school- 
house, then going to the 
Union Academy, and after 
serving in the army the last 
year of the war between the 
States, concluded his educa- 
tion at Bryant & Stratton and 
Saddler Business College in 
Baltimore. He was present 
at both the Semi-Centennial 
in 1873 and the Centennial in 1923. 

At seventeen years of age he entered the army as a 
commissioned officer and was soon placed in command of 
his company as a part of the reserve corps. On the ninth 
of April, 1865, when Lee’s army capitulated at Appomat- 
tox, Capt. Sydnor’s command was stationed at Danville, 
Va., having been ordered to this point to protect the 
railroads and especially the bridges over the Roanoke, 
Staunton, and Dan rivers. His command being in charge 
of what proved to be the last capital of the Confederacy. 
President Davis and his staff were in Danville when a 
courier arrived to announce the surrender of Lee. 


54 Livina EPistTLEs 


Walton Sydnor was never known to fail in the matter of 
duty or faithfulness to trust, whether at home, at school, 
in the army, or in civil offices. Duty under the guidance 
of an intelligent conscience, is his silent, ever-present 
motto. } 


At the age of twenty, he, with his brother and a sister 
were baptized by their father into the fellowship of Cool 
Spring Church (now Blackstone). He has served con- 
tinuously as teacher, superintendent, and deacon, ever 
ready to do the Lord’s work or answer any demand made 
upon him in social, church, or civic affairs. 


In 1874 he married Miss Lily Cook, of Roanoke County. 
Never was there a happier home. Of course time has 
brought bereavement and change, but to-day, in his native 
county he is four-square in the presence of duty, serving 
his community by example and leadership. 


“Duty done is victory won.” 


Capt. Sydnor has consented to give us the benefit of 
some recollections of the days leading up to 1873. His 
notes will be found interesting reading, as reminders of 
very similar experiences of many others, and also furnish- 
ing interesting historical facts for the younger generation. 


THE Oxnp Guarp 55 


REV. J. LEE TAYLOR 


So far as can be recalled, 
there has been but one Jeter 
conspicuous in Virginia Bap- 
tist history. Our leaders have 
largely borne the names 
Broaddus, Ryland, Bagby, 
and Taylor. With either of 
these names omitted, Baptist 
records would be so marred 
that history would be put out 
of joint. Of the Taylors, we 
readily recall no less than 
twenty-nine, nine of whom 
are living to-day, two of these 
honor our“Our Guard” roster. 

Rev. J. Lee Taylor is liv- 
ing in the county of his nativity. His home is Spencer, 
Henry County, Va. He is the eldest son of Rev. D. G. 
and Martha King Taylor, born in the home of his parents 
on January 30, 1845, educated in the schools of the county 
and in Union University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., baptized 
by his father into the fellowship of the Mayo Baptist 
Church, November 1, 1858. 

In the war between the States, from 1861 to 1865 he 
served in Company A, Forty-Second Virginia Infantry. 
At the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, was 
captured and confined as a prisoner of war at Point Look- 
out until June 1, 1865. 


56 Living EPIsTLEs 


At the call of Mayo Baptist Church, he, by a presbytery 
appointed by the Blue Ridge Baptist Association, was 
ordained to the gospel ministry in August, 1873. Labor- 
ing under the patronage of the Virginia Baptist State 
Association Board, he organized eight new churches and 
built as many good houses of worship and baptized more 
than nine hundred converts. ? 

For four years in Tennessee, he acted as clerk of Duck 
River Association and did colportage work within the 
bounds of that body. He was moderator of Blue Ridge 
Association for twenty years, and for twenty-six years 
clerk and treasurer of that body, and for one year vice- 
president of the Virginia Baptist General Association ; 
served in the pastorate at Jacksonville and Mt. Olivet in 
Floyd County, Fairmont, Boone Mill, Rocky Mount, 
Providence, Mill Creek, and Stony Creek in Franklin 
County; Blackberry, Mayo, Ridgeway, and Bassett in 
Henry County, and Providence in Rockingham County, 
N. C. 

Brother Taylor was author of Semi-Centennial History 
of Blue Ridge Association, and of two Introductory 
Sermons, published by request of the body, and editor of 
The Christian Monitor, an Association paper for a time 
published within its bounds. 

Rev. J. Lee Taylor is a brother of Rev. Sam Frank 
Taylor, D. D., of Columbia, Mo., and Rev. Joseph J udson 
Taylor, D. D., of Jasper, Ala. The father of these three 
distinguished ministers was looked upon as the Bishop of 
the Blue Ridge Association. The subject of this sketch 1s 
held in the same esteem. His life has beeg given to the 
people among whom he was born and who love to honor 
him as truly “a man of God,” 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 57 


BENJAMIN THOMAS 


The subject of this sketch 
is one of the eldest among us, 
having been born June 2, 
1838 in Northampton Coun- 
ty, Va. At the time of the 
Semi-Centennial he was a 
member of Lower Northamp- 
ton Church, Cheriton, and 
was sent as a messenger to 
the Semi-Centennial Meeting 
of the General Association 
where he was not a forgetful 
hearer. Probably none who 
heard Dr. Curry’s address on 
this occasion have forgotten 
all that he said. Most of us 
remember the presentation of the venerable Rev. James 
Fife. The ushers and a few others remember the crashing 
of the overloaded seats, while our brother, Benjamin 
Thomas, delights to recall that glorious Sunday morning 
service when Dr. John A. Broaddus melted the audience 
with his great sermon on Love. Many ministers are 
spoken of as great preachers; few are found so learned or 
so wise as to be able to deliver sermons so simple, so pene- 
trating, so helpful as the preaching of Dr. John A. Broad- 
dus. He made no claim to oratory, and yet he riveted the 
attention of his audience. Ministers loved to hear him, 


58 Livine EpistEs 


and were often heard to say “Why could not I have said 
that?” He was too humble to be dogmatic; he was too 
great to be vain. His eloquence was found in his sim- 
plicity of speech. 


Benjamin Thomas, the subject of this sketch, spent his 
boyhood days on the farm. He was baptized in 1854 at 
Cobb’s Mill by Rev. James Council, and received his 
education at the public schools. In April, 1871, he married 
Miss Maggie C. Bell, Rev. Charles Watts performing the 
marriage ceremony. He was for twenty years superin- 
tendent of his Sunday school, and is now quite feeble, his 
daughter, Miss Nola, giving him her affectionate care. 


Tue Orp Guarp 59 


H. J. WILLIAMSON 


Aside from the quiet, 
gentle, and yet persuasive, 
pervading and prevailing in- 
fluence of our _ excellent 
Christian women, there is no 
more potent agency in carry- 
ing forward the affairs of the 
Kingdom than is manifested 
in the big-hearted, splendid 
leaders among our consecra- 
ted laymen. Indeed, the roll 
of human history is inscribed 
with the names of heroes 
whose conspicuous achieve- 
ments have won for them im- 
mortal renown, and in that 
brilliant galaxy of names may be found many to, whom 


Segoe 


largely indebted. Our brother, H. J. Williamson, who 
was born in Princess Anne County, Va., March 10, 1849, 
though not a minister of the Gospel, early in life was fond 
of the Sunday school, and developed a zeal for good works 
among his fellowmen. Baptized by the Rev. John C. 
Hiden, D. D., in 1867, he united with the Kempsville | 
Baptist Church, and four years later, in 1871, removed 
to Norfolk, Va., where a wider field for self-culture and 
the development of his latent ability and his usefulness 


60 Living EPpisTLEes 


awaited him. To his credit, let it be said, that he brought 
his church letter with him and united with the Cumber- 
land Street (now First) Baptist Church of which Rev. 
Thos. Hume, D. D., Sr., was then pastor. He served this 
church as deacon for forty-four years, and trustee for 
sixteen years, and superintendent for twenty years. Dur- 
ing his membership he was instrumental in selling the 
church property on Granby Street, and led the move- 
ment in the erection of the present splendid marble house 
of the Lord on Westover and Howard (?) Avenues. In 
addition to this, brother Williamson was for seven years 
member of the Board of Health, and also of the Public . 
School Board of the city. His first marriage was to Miss 
Marie HE. Godfrey, daughter of Robt. Godfrey of Princess 
Anne County, on June 10, 1875, and after her death he 
was joined in marriage to Mrs. Hattie N. Aylett, widow 
of Hon. W. B. Aylett of Norfolk, Va., on December 21, 
1922. For many years brother Williamson was a success- 
ful furniture dealer, from which business he retired with 
a competency several years ago, and now resides with 
his present wife at 437 Graydon Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 
He was delegate to the Baptist General Association of 
Virginia from First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va. 


Tur Oxtp Guarb 61 


D. P. WOOD 


Birth and _ environment 
have much to do with one’s 
subsequent development and 
success in life. The subject 
of this sketch is a son of 
Pollard Wood and was born 
in Jeffersonton, Culpeper 
County, one of the most 
beautiful and attractive sec- 
tions of central Virginia on 
June 11, 1852 and grew up 
to manhood on a beautiful 
farm, working, playing, hunt- 
ing and fishing amidst sur- 
roundings that were not only 
congenial, but tributary to 
the firmness of his physical fibre that he has to-day. He 
attended school in the village academy and after his re- 
moval to Warrenton in 1867, was baptized into the fellow- 
ship of the Warrenton Baptist Church in 1868, by Rey. 
H. H. Wyer, at the critical period of youth when just 
sixteen years of age. On April 17, 1877, he married Miss 
Sallie Parkinson.’ They have four children. He began 
his career in religious work as superintendent of the Sun- 
day school in 1880, and was elected deacon of the church 
in 1897, an office which he worthily fills as senior deacon 
up to this present writing. For several years he was 


62 Livina EpistTLes 


honored with the position of moderator of the Potomac 
Association. In 1885 he established the hardware business 
of D. P. Wood and Company in Warrenton, and has been 
a member of the town council for twenty years. Although 
he retired from active business some years ago, leaving it 
to the management of his son, D. P. Wood, Jr., he is still 
superintendent of the Sunday school and a valued coun- 
sellor in all of the work of the church, and in his private 
life he looks with unbending and severe disapproval on 
everything that is not in consonance with his standard of 
personal piety. Living as well as believing in the teachings 
of the Word of God, he is truly “a living epistle known and 
read of all men.” 


He was a messenger from the Warrenton Baptist Church 
to the General Association of Virginia, to both great meet- 
ings, in 1873 and 1923. 


Tur Oxnp Guarp 63 


“OLD” RICHMOND COLLEGE OF 1873 


Of the ten Richmond College boys who had the honor 
of seating the great assembly in the pavillion in 1873, 
some have passed to the unnumbered assembly above. 
We revere the memory of Henry Smeltz, H. J. Newbill, 
and L. R. Steele. Those yet with us are J. W. Wild- 
man, A. W. Graves, Geo. H. Swann, Andrew Broaddus, 
Hugh C. Smith, Geo. J. Hobday, and C. E. Nicol. No 
ten men ever placed an audience more sympathetic or 
more profoundly attentive than was thategreat mass of 
hearers. No audience ever listened to more soul-stirring 
words, more masterful utterances, more statesmanlike 
pronouncements than were delivered from that plat- 
form. Inspiration begotten by those addresses, con- 
ceived in the receptive minds and hearts of the hearers, 
has been bringing forth fruit in abundance during these 
fifty years which we commemorate. ‘These pages con- 
tain the record of the seven half-century ushers still 
wearing their badges of leadership. We follow them in 
the full assurance that some day we shall all be shown 
our places in the “congregation which will ne’er break 
up.” “Old” Richmond College of 1873 was the birth- 
place of many a noble impulse. ‘The “New” Univer- 
sity of Richmond is but bearing our banner a little 
more aloft than did the boys of the semi-centennial 
period under the leadership of Puryear, Harris, Harri- 
son, Smith, and Curry. That noble quintette have 
passed to their reward, leaving these Living Epistles to 
unite in Tom Hundley’s pean of grateful thanks to 
God that we are still spared to serve in the ranks of 
our Conquering King. 


64 Livina EPpisTLEes 


COMRADES 
1873-1923 


(Dedicated to the Richmond College students who are 
members of “The Old Guard’’) 


iL 


Kind reader, do not judge us by our looks, 
For they, would indicate that we are old; 
Things are not always what they seem—H’en books 
Do sometimes make mistakes in what they hold. 


2 


Although our heads are wearing crowns of snow, 
And crows’ feet mark the corners of our eyes, 

We are not old. The fires of youth still glow 
Within, where hope eternal never dies. 


3 


Comrades are we—schoolmates of other days— 
Our Alma Mater—“dear old” Richmond College ; 

Within whose sacred walls we learned the ways 
That led us on to broader fields of knowledge. 


4 


From city, town, and country homes we came; 
That fact was evident when we were seen— 
And every fellow bore an honored name, 
And wore his own distinctive shade of green. 


Tur Oxnp Guarp 65 


5 


Brothers were all, in broadcloth or in jeans; 
It mattered not if one were rich or poor; 

The full-grown men, and boys yet in their teens, 
Prompted by love, their mutual burdens bore. 


6 


*Twas then the “Big Five” ruled the garrison. 
Upon the scroll of fame their names appear— 
Puryear, Harris, Smith and Harrison, 
And statesman Curry—all to mem’ry dear. 


ki 


Full half a hundred years have passed since then— 
Silent the voices on the campus sward— 

And here are we, not half a hundred men, 
Sharing the honors of the dear “Old Guard.” 


8 


Fall in line there, Comrades! Close up the ranks! 
No dirge be ours! Peans of vict’ry sing! ~ 
Rejoicing at twilight, let us give thanks 
For being soldiers of a conquer’ring King. 


Wew deel: 


66 Livine EPpisTLEs 


Ho! For the “OLD” RICHMOND COLLEGE—YELL! 
All together— 


Richmond—Richmond ! 
R-I-C-H-M-O-N-D ! 

Richmond! © 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Richmond—Richmond—Richmond ! 


(There were no “Spiders” in those days.) 
And now we'll chime in and yell with the boys and girls 
of the—New UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND: 


Richmond—Richmond ! 
R-I-C-H-M-O-N-D ! 

Richmond ! 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah—Rah ! 
Richmond—Richmond—Richmond ! 


And now you must pardon this long-winded recorder for 
calling upon a select few to join in another yell which 
sometimes used to burst forth out of midnight silence: 


K. A. Kappa, K. A. Kappa! 
‘Eta Chapter, Kappa Alpha!! 


Thanks—Now let’s talk about what has happened to these 
boys during the past half a hundred years. 


Tue OxLp Guarp 67 


REV. ST. GEORGE TUCKER ABRAHAMS 


All men do not have the 
opportunity to fill high posi- 
tions. Great achievements 
are due to diligence and hard 
work rather than to great 
ability, and to the practice of 
doing well whatever is worth 
doing. 


“Tig not in title nor in rank; 
*Tis not in wealth like Lon- 
don Bank 
That makes us truly 
blessed.” 


The birth of St. George 
Tucker Abrahams, the son of Col. Jesse A. and Mary F. 
Abrahams, occurred on December 10, 1849 in Powhatan 
County, Va. His boyhood was quietly spent in his native 
county and Cumberland, and he grew up to manhood 
inured to the customary toils of such a life, which largely 
contributed to his sturdiness and firmness of character. 
On the twenty-ninth of August, 1868, he was buried with 
Christ in baptism by Rev. Jno. R. Bagby, D. D., into the 
membership of the Muddy Creek Baptist Church in Pow- 
hatan County, Va. As usual with the boys of this time, 
he attended several private schools and acquired the rudi- 
ments of education as well as the habit of diligent study. 
Guided by the counsel of several of his ministering 


68 Living EPpistTLes 


brethren and led by the Spirit of God, he decided to obey 
the divine call to become a preacher of the “Unsearchable 
Riches of Christ” and attended Richmond College for 
three years, where he distinguished himself by his close 
application to study. His popularity, added to his orator- 
ical gifts, led to his election as final president and valedic- 
torian for the joint literary societies. He had already dis- 
tinguished himself at two public debates under the 
auspices of the Mu Sigma Rho Society. 

Another honor voted to him was the place of usher, 
with nine others, who seated the audience at the Semi- 
Centennial. In the midst of that incomparable address 
of Dr. Curry, when the audience was almost on tip-toe of 
eagerness to catch every word, it was Abrahams who 
appeared before the platform with the old rusty lock and 
heavy key of Culpeper jail which had confined James Ite- 
land, John Cerberly, Elijah Craig, Thomas Ammon, Adam 
Banks, Thomas Maxfield, Mathew Saunders, Anderson 
Moffett, William McClanahan, John Pickett, and John 
Dulaney, for preaching the Gospel as they understood it. 

Upon leaving Richmond College, he gave the whole of 
next year to teaching his sisters and a younger brother. 
The next two sessions were spent teaching in the public 
schools, to enable himself to go to the Seminary. Return- 
ing from the Seminary in 1877, he preached his first 
sermon at Muddy Creek, his old mother church, in Pow- 
hatan County. Before his ordination, he supplied for the 
First Church and also College Hill in Lynchburg. 


At the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he 
covered six departments in a two-years course. So thorough 
was his equipment for his life work that the council of 
ordination consisting of Rev. R. W. Cridlin, D. D., Jno. R. 


Tur Orp Guarp 69 


Bagby, D. D., and the deacons of the Muddy Creek Baptist 
Church where the services of ordination were held on 
December 30, 1877, resolved, without hesitation, to set him 
apart to the full work of the Gospel ministry, and to fully 
and freely recommend him to all brother ministers, and 
to the brotherhood in general. That brother Abrahams 
made “full proof of his ministry” and did not disappoint 
his brethren, is evidenced by the fact that he has served 
successively and successfully and with distinction, Oakland 
Baptist Church in Culpeper County; Remington and 
Mount Holly Baptist churches in the Potomac Association ; 
Boydton, Bethel, and Clarksville in Mecklenburg County ; 
Concord Association; two churches and a mission in the 
Dover Association; Williamsburg in James City; Clarks- 
neck, Harmony Grove and Urbanna in Middlesex County ; 
Rappahannock Association; Graceland in Powhatan Coun- 
ty; and Skinquarter, Central, and Tomahawk in Chester- 
field County in Middlesex District Association, besides 
supplying various other churches at intervals between 
pastorates. 

During his pastorate in Clarksville, he was assisted in 
a meeting by Dr. T. W. Sydnor when brother Abrahams 
baptized three young ladies in Roanoke River: namely, 
Miss Annie Dabbs, Miss Mattie Alcott, and Miss Grace H. 
Love, all of Clarksville. Each of these young sisters after- 
ward became the wife of a preacher. Miss Dabbs married 
Rey. Mr. Winn, a Methodist; Miss Alcott married Rev. M. 
Thompson, who was at one time pastor of College Hill 
Church in Lynchburg. Miss Grace H. Love did the best 
of all, by giving her name to the man who baptized her. 
St. George thinks that Dr. Sydnor and the good Lord did 
a fine work for those three preachers. This writer is of 


70 Living EpistTLEes 


the same mind. Mrs. Abrahams has proven ever a true 
yoke-fellow, and is to-day an active worker in the Women’s 
Missionary Society, president of the Baptist Young Peoples 
Society, and general worker in the Sunday school. 

A broad trail of spiritual light has followed brother 
Abrahams in his ministrations, thousands being edified 
and enlightened, and hundreds of precious souls being 
brought under conviction, converted, and baptized by him. 
For one term he was elected as clerk of the Concord Asso- 
ciation, and for several terms as its moderator. 

On the day before Christmas, December 24, 1885, brother 
Abrahams was married in Clarksville, Va., to Miss Grace 
H. Love, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
James W. Love, the ceremony being performed by Rev. 
A. B. Woodfin, D. D. To his devoted and charming 
life-companion much of his success in the ministry is due. 
They have been blessed with three children who have 
reflected credit upon their parents, viz.: Mrs. Jas. J. 
Bailey, now residing in Chesterfield County, St. Geo. 
Tucker Abrahams, Jr., now a public accountant in Greens- 
boro, N. C., and Miss Grace Evelyn Abrahams now in her 
sophomore year carrying six tickets or studies at the 
Westhampton College in Richmond, Va. 

Brother Abrahams was a delegate from the Muddy 
Creek Baptist Church in Powhatan County to the Semi- 
Centennial (1873) and to the Centennial Baptist Asso- 
ciation in Richmond, Va., in 1923. Such a devout and 
consecrated life of this most worthy member of “The Old 
Guard,” now in his advanced age, surely entitles him and 
his beloved life-companion to the rest which they are now 
enjoying at their home in Chesterfield and they will 
doubtless wear many stars in their crowns when the Lord 
makes up His jewels. 


Tur Otp Guarp fis) 


REV. W. C. BITTING, D. D. 


I offer no apology for the insertion of the following letter, but 
refer to the statement in my introductory, namely, “We are 
friends of half a century, talking face to face with each other 
about ourselves.” 

Now read what W. C. Bitting has to say about himself. 


5109 Waterman Avenue, 
St. Louis, Mo. 
Dr. T. L. Sydnor, 
Danville, Va. 


My dear Dr. Sydnor: 


It is like a call from the 
past to get your circular and 
questionnaire concerning the 
meeting of the Virginia Bap- 
tist General Association in 
1873. I wonder if you are 
not the same Tom Sydnor 
who was at Richmond College 
with me. You must be. I 
knew your honored father and 
loved him, and I remember you so well. 

I was at Richmond College from 1871 to 1877 when I 
took my degree there. Your vivid words about the 1873 
meeting of the Virginia Baptist General Association and 
Dr. Curry’s address and the old rusty lock and key from 
Culpeper jail bring back to me the memories of sitting 
in a great tent and hearing the great man make his 
address and of the very dramatic way in which he brought 


cer Livine EpistLEs 


out that old lock. How long ago it seems to me now. I 
guess I shall have to admit that I was present, but I 
never would have recalled this but for the mention of Dr. 
Curry and the key. Just think, that event has been 
fifty years ago. Dear Dr. Curry! At his own request, I 
officiated at his funeral. It was a great honor he did me 
to ask that I should lay away his dust. 


I congratulate you upon entering the fields of author- 
ship. I know you will do it well. I shall be glad to see 
a copy of your book. My last book, entitled, The Teaching 
Pastor, is composed of six lectures delivered at Crozer 
Theological Seminary on the Samuel A. Crozer Founda- 
tion. These lectures were delivered a year ago last March 
and are published by the American Baptist Publication 
Society in Philadelphia. I know that you will embalm 
yourself immortally in the amber of literature. After all, 
I think that the most beautiful things in life are the 
tastes of life. 


My dear Tom, I feel like a boy inside. I remember you 
so well. I often dwell in the old days. That may be a 
sign of coming senility. 


I have had a good fling at life. The experiences have 
vastly exceeded in beauty and glory the wildest romantic 
dreams of my boyhood days. I went to Crozer Theologi- 
cal Seminary in September, 1877, where I studied for 
three years. Upon graduation I supplied in Lee Street 
Baptist Church in Baltimore for about six months, and 
then in February, 1881, became the pastor of the Luray, 
Virginia Baptist Church. I was a poor green unripe kid. 
I was not twenty-four years old until after I was the 
pastor of this church. Just think of the long-suffering 


Tur Oxp GuarRp 73 


humanity that endured all the crude, gaseous vapors of a 
boy. I had a delightful time with the noble people in 
Luray. I left them in December, 1883, and became pastor 
of the Mount Morris Baptist Church in New York City, 
January, 1884, in my twenty-sixth year. Can you imagine 
a country green apple flung into the greatest city in the 
world? Nevertheless, I stayed there for twenty-two years. 
Then, November 1, 1905, I became pastor of the Second 
Baptist Church in this great city. I am still here. How 
long I will be here I do not know, but I will never be 
pastor of another church. When I lay off the pastoral 
collar here it will be, not to stop work, but never more 
to assume the pastoral responsibility. 


As I remember you, I think you were going to become 
a dentist. 


May I tell you about a book that I have in my library, 
the like of which I do not know anywhere else? I am 
sure you cannot produce a copy like it. It is a portly 
volume. It contains all the school catalogs of my entire 
educational career, beginning with those of the prep 
school in Lynchburg, Va., with the session of 1868-69, and 
running through Richmond College beginning with the — 
session of 1871-72 through my entire career thero when I 
got my Master’s degree in 1877; and in addition the 
catalog containing the roll of alumni from 1832 to 1884, 
a list of the degree men from 1849 to 1884, inclusive, 
and another catalog containing the list up to 1888. Fur- 
ther more, all the catalogs of Crozer Seminary during my 
entire experience there. 


Furthermore, all the catalogs of Hollins Institute in 
Virginia during the period of Mrs. Bitting’s schooling 


rp Livina EpistLes 


there, together with the list af alumnae there. All of these 
catalogs complete are bound in this one volume, and all 
that either Mrs. Bitting or I have to do is to turn to this 
book and go through the catalogs and try to reproduce 
the faces of our dear old friends whom we have not seen or 
heard from for so many years and whom we have so greatly 
missed. In the catalog for the session of 1871-72 I find 
the name of Thomas L. Sydnor who took Latin, Mathe- 
matics, and English that year and whose residence was 
put down as Nottoway, Va. Your name is missing in the 
catalog for the next year. I presume you were so anxious 
to make money, or to get married that you did not care 
to waste another year at college. 


At any rate, I think you will give me credit for having 
a good memory when I can recall you as a fellow-student 
forty-seven years ago. You will see that I have not de- 
cayed inside. 


I am also sure that you will come to the conclusion that 
I am really getting old, not merely because I recall the 
past, but also because of my verbosity and prolixity and 
loquacity as revealed in this letter to you. 


At any rate, dear fellow, I am glad of the chance to 
send you this little note and to tell you that I love you, 
and that while I cannot recall very much about the Baptist 
General Association of Virginia in the year 1873, I do 
recall Tom Sydnor. At that time I was a boy about 
sixteen or seventeen years old and I had all the gaiety of 
a kid and have lost none of it. What it was that especial- 
ly attracted me to you, I do not recall, unless it was that 
you were kind to me in some way and did not kick about 


Tur Oxp Guarp 15 


a freshy. I hope everything is moving finely with you. 
God bless you in every way. I should be glad to have a 
line from you. 


I am a life member of the Virginia Baptist General 
Association, made so by the Young Men’s Society of the 
Second Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., of which my 
father was pastor. 

Yours heartily, 


W. C. BIrrine. 


%6 Livine Episties 


REV. ANDREW BROADDUS, D. D. 


Solomon says, “A good 
name is rather to be chosen 
than great riches and loving 
favor rather than silver and 
gold.” While to be well-born 
is a great advantage, yet, as 
has been well said, birth, 
wealth, place, and power are 
no measure of success. ‘The 
only true measure of success 
is the ratio between what we 
have made and what we have 
done, and what we might 
have made and what we might 
have done. ‘To be the lineal 
descendant of several genera- 
tions of preachers may be a blessing or a handicap as one 
uses or abuses the relationship. Andrew Broaddus 3d, as he 


is known, is the son of Andrew Broaddus, 2nd. He was born 
at White Plains near Sparta in Caroline County, Va., on 
March 29, 1853, and was baptized by his father on his birth-’ 
day when sixteen years of age, on March 29, 1869, in a 
mill-pond near Sparta. He was educated in the neighbor- 
hood elementary schools, Richmond College, and the South- 
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, then at Greenville, 8. C. 
At Richmond College he received the degree of B. L., as 
a graduate in the Law School, and in later years the 


Tur Oxnp Guarp 77 


degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the same 
institution. Not satisfied to continue in the legal pro- 
fession, he resolved to obey the Divine call and was set 
apart to the full work of the ministry at Salem Church 
(old site), Va., on September 12, 1875, by a presbytery 
consisting of Rev. Thos. S. Dunaway, D. D., Rev. H. W. 
Montague, Dr. Wm. A. Baynham, and his father, Rev. 
Andrew Broaddus, 2nd. Young Broaddus early gave 
promise of being worthy of his honored ancestors, as was 
evidenced by his subsequent career as pastor, and served 
successfully, as the beloved and honored pastor, the follow- 
ing churches: Fork Union, Fluvanna County; Red Bank, 
Kastville, and Lower Northampton in Northampton Coun- 
ty; Morattico, in Lancaster County; Bowling Green, 
Bethel, Providence, Mt. Hermon, Upper Zion, and Salem, 
all in Caroline County; and Massaponax in Spottsylvania 
County. His grandfather, Rev. Andrew Broaddus, 1st, 
who was one of the ablest and most eloquent preachers 
in Virginia, was pastor of the Salem Baptist Church for 
twenty-eight years, and was succeeded by his son, Andrew 
Broaddus, 2nd, who served the same church for forty- 
eight years, and he in turn, was succeeded by the subject 
of this sketch, Rev. Andrew Broaddus, 3rd, who has served 
for twenty-eight years and is still the acceptable and 
beloved pastor. In commemoration of this most unique ~ 
and remarkable record, the centennial of these successive 
pastorates was celebrated at the Salem Baptist Church in 
1920, when, as an expression of their high esteem of the 
present pastor, a handsome loving cup was presented to 
him. On the twenty-third of October, 1878, brother 
Broaddus was happily married to Miss Carrie B. Power, 
of Richmond, Va. By which marriage there were six 


78 LivinG EPISTLES 


children, two of whom died in infancy, and one daughter 
on the eighteenth of June, 1923. His beloved wife, the 
mother of these children, was taken to her reward in 
Heaven, July 9, 1891. Eleven years later, brother Broad- 
dus was on June 18, 1902 married to his present wife 
who was Miss Rena Floyd, at Red Bank Church in North- 
ampton County. Of this union there were no children. 
For several years past, Dr. Broaddus has been almost an 
invalid, but continues in the active pastorate of the Salem 
Baptist Church of sacred memory, and resides in his home 
near Sparta, Va. He was a delegate from Salem Baptist 
Church to the Semi-Centennial of the Virginia Baptist 
General Association in Richmond, Va., in 1873, and again 
in 1923, but owing to illness he was unable to attend the 
great Centennial gathering in the same city in November, 
1923. Surely he deserves and is worthy of a high place in 
“The Old Guard,” having by the grace of God ‘won 
thousands of souls for the Kingdom. 


THe Orp GvuarRpD 79 


ALFRED J. CHEWNING 


Alfred J. Chewning is the 
nephew of Dr. Alfred HE. 
Dickinson, was born in 
Louisa County, the date of 
his birth being December 20, 
1852. He was baptized in 
1866, by Rev. Charles R. 
Dickinson, M. D., who was 
- also his uncle. He was edu- 
cated in the local schools and 
in Richmond College and 
then accepted a position with 
the Religious Herald. 

He married, January 30, 
1878, Miss Kate G. Carpen- 
ter, a sister of J. G. Carpen- 
ter, and they have seven children, four boys and three 
girls, all now married. 


Mr. Chewning is president of the Guarantee Building 
Corporation, and of the corporation Chewning and Boxley, 
realtors, Richmond, Va. He resides in Fluvanna County 
and is a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and chair- 
man of the Finance Committee of Berea Church. 


At the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the General Asso- 
ciation, he was a messenger from Grace Street Church, 
Richmond, and in 1923, from Berea Church, Louisa 
County. 


80 Livine EpistiLEs 


Among his religious activities, he was recording sec- 
retary of the trustees of the Ministers’ Relief Fund of the 
General Association for about twenty-five years, a member 
of the Education Board, a trustee of the Women’s College, 
Richmond, Va., a trustee of the Fork Union Military 
Academy, and a member of the Board of the Virginia 
Mechanics Institute, Richmond, Va. He is living in 
activity and responsibility. 


Tur Otp Guarp 81 


JOEL T. COTTON 


A man’s business is some- 
times promoted by his dynam- 
ic methods, but oftener, 
more is accomplished by the 
husbanding of his nerve 
forces and by the steady plod- 
ding and deliberation which 
contribute not only to future 
success but to the prolonga- 
tion of his life. Born in Sus- 
sex County in 1850, Joel T. 
Cotton, the subject of this 
sketch was baptized into the 
membership of the Newville 
Baptist Church in that county 
in 1866 by Rev. A. E. Owen, 
the pastor of the Court Street Baptist Church of Ports- 
mouth. He married Miss Rosa J. Bailey on May 28th in 
1873, and has seven children and seventeen grandchildren. 
For several terms he was a student at Richmond College. 


In his business, which has been built upon the structure 
of absolute honesty and integrity, he is known as fair and 
square in all of his dealings with his fellowmen or com- 
petitors, and he recognizes that while justice is inexorable, 
yet it is divine only when allied to mercy. Having suc- 
ceeded in the happiest of all occupations as farmer, he has 
now retired from active business, and in his seventy-fourth 


89 Living EpistiEs 


year he retains much of the bouyancy and resiliency of his 
youth, and is a regular attendant and generous supporter 
of the work of the church, having served as deacon and 
superintendent of Sunday school. His private life, like 
that of the just, “is as the shining light that shineth more 
and more unto the perfect day.” 


In the year 1873 he was delegate to the Semi-Centennial 
Association in Richmond, Va., from Newville Baptist 
Church, and in 1923 he attended the great Centennial 
meeting from Gilmerton Church, Norfolk County. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 83 


REV. W. T. DERIEUX, D. D. 


According to Longfellow— 
“The lives of great men all 
remind us we may make our 
lives sublime, etc.” Men who 
are habitually imbued with 
the spirit of Christianity, of 
a uniform and even tenor, of 
a strict consistency, of firm 
character, of an indefatigable 
zeal and activity are the men 
who keep through times of 
great peril and persecution, 
so many people faithful to 
the Lord, and in more favor- 
able epochs, multiply this 
number exceedingly. ‘To this 
class belong such men as Rev. Wm. T. Derieux, the execu- 
tive secretary of Baptist Missions of South Carolina. 


Born in Essex County, Va., on May 26, 1853, his ado- 
lescent period was spent on a farm until he was nineteen 
years of age, and one year in a country store. He attended 
neighborhood schools and one year at Aberdeen Academy, 
the school of Col. Council, completing his education with 
a course at Richmond College, and the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. 


When only twelve years of age he was baptized in a 
mill pond by Rev. Isaac Diggs, pastor of Howardstown 


84 Livina EpistTies 


Baptist Church, his youthful inclinations and steady habits 
giving promise of his future distinction. An event, as he 
grew to manhood, that contributed much to his happiness 
and to his subsequent success, was his marriage on Decem- 
ber 8, 1880, to Miss Lottie Bookhart of South Carolina by 
the Rev. R. T. Vann. Of this happy and auspicious union, 
seven children were born, five sons and two daughters; 
three sons were taken from them by death, one dying in 
infancy; W. 'T. Derieux, Jr., killed in the great World War ; 
and Sam <A. Derieux, who as staff contributor to the 
American Magazine of New York, acquired considerable 
fame as a writer of animal stories, died in a hospital in that 
city, following an operation on February 11, 1922. 


It is interesting to note that the ordination of Brother 
Derieux took place at the old Bainbridge St. Baptist Church 
of Manchester, in the year 1880 by the laying on of the 
hands of a presbytery consisting of such able ministers of 
the Gospel as Rev. Wm. E. Hatcher, D. D., Prof. H. H. 
Harris of Richmond College, and Dr. Henry McDonald, 
pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, Va. 
The pastorates of Dr. Derieux, which were singularly and 
remarkably successful were: Bainbridge Church of Man- 
chester (now South Richmond) from 1883 to 1884; Spart- 
anburg, 8S. C., from 1884 to 1899; Venable St. Baptist 
Church, Richmond, Va., from 1899 to August 1905. In 
1906 Dr. Derieux was chosen to fill the office of State 
Missions of the state of South Carolina, and at this writing 
he is still serving in that capacity. 


It is to be regretted that no record of the number of 
accessions to his churches during his several pastorates was 
kept, but it is safe to say that incalculable results followed 


Tue Oxntp Guarp 85 


his faithful ministry. In recognition of his merits, the 
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon 
this worthy servant of the Lord by Furman University of 
South Carolina. 


In 1873 he was present at the Semi-Centennial Meeting 
of the General Association of Virginia, representing in 
his youth the Hebron Baptist Chuch in King William 
County, and at the Centennial gathering in 1923 he was 
visiting representative of the South Carolina Baptists. 


86 Livina EPpisTLEs 


JUDGE J. W. FLEET 


J. William Fleet, Common- 
wealth’s Attorney for King 
and Queen County, Ex-Judge 
of the County Court, member 
of the Virginia legislature in 
1899 and 1900, and farmer, 
was born at Green Mount, 
King and Queen County, Va., 
on June 7%, 1856. He is the 
youngest son of Dr. Benjamin 
Fleet, and Louisa, his wife. 
Judge Fleet is a scion of a 
large and well known Vir- 
ginia family, a family that 
produced teachers, doctors, 
preachers, lawyers, legislators, 
merchants and farmers, some of whom occupied positions 
of honor and distinction, and all of whom were useful 
men and women. He was reared on the farm, and has 
spent his entire life in King and Queen, where he resides 
at the time of this writing, not far from where he was 
born. He was educated at Aberdeen Academy, Richmond 
College and the University of Virginia. 


In 1868, when he was but twelve years of age, he was 
baptized by Dr. J. R. Garlick into the fellowship of St. 
Stephen’s Church, Rappahannock Association, of which 
church he has always been a member, and where he now 


Tue Oxnp Guarp 87 


serves as church treasurer and superintendent of the 
Sunday school. On the 17th of June, 1903, Judge Fleet 
married Miss Nannie Burke in King and Queen County, 
the Rev. Alexander Fleet performing the marriage cere- 
mony. By this marriage there are four children, three 
girls, Florence, Bessie and Mary, and one boy, J. W. Jr. 
(“Billy”). Judge Fleet was present at the Semi-Centen- 
nial in 1873 and again at the Centennial in 1923. He is 
physically and mentally vigorous, a man of influence in 
his community, and one who reflects credit on the honored 
family whose name he bears. 


88 Living EPiIsTLeEs 


BEDFORD GLASCOCK 


In the fall of 1869, among 
the students who gathered at 
Richmond College to prepare 
themselves for future useful- 
ness, was a group of ruddy 
country boys from different 
parts of the state. In the 
passing fifty-five years many 
of them have fallen out of the 
line of march and have gone 
to their account-giving. But 
a few still linger amid the 
responsibilities and triumphs 
of life. The subject of this 
sketch is one of “The Old 
fuard’, still lingering much 


to the joy of his many friends. Quiet, unassuming, shrink- 
ing from publicity, but always loyally responding to the 
‘all of duty, he won his way to the hearts of his fellow 
students, and he was an interested sharer in the sports of 
the campus. Then, games were played for the invigorating 
exercise and real sport. Foot ball was played on the 
campus, between the college building and Broad St. The 
students would assemble and two young men would be 
designated to choose players for the opposing sides, first 
one and then the other calling out his choice by name. The 
players chosen, would line up facing each other, The 


Tur Otp Guarp 89 


side facing toward the north won the game when the ball 
was thrust against the fence on the north side of the 
campus, the players facing toward the south won the game 
when they had thrown the ball against the fence on the 
south side of the campus. There was no knock-down and 
drag-out feature, but there was lively sport and recreation. 
No traversing the country, assuming temporary possession 
of passenger coaches and painting the towns red where 
football teams assembled for their match games,—but real 
sport for sport’s sake. 


- Bedford Glascock was one of the boys who turned aside 
from his studies to refresh his strength by mingling with 
his fellows and promoting their exercises. 


Born in December, 1849, he can_no longer boast of the 
glow of youth, but can rejoice in the satisfaction of 
knowing that he has faithfully kept to the ways of upright- 
ness In his chosen line of life. At the age of sixteen he 
was baptized into the fellowship of the Upperville Baptist 
Church of which Dr. I. B. Lake was so long the honored 
and beloved pastor. At college he was a regular attendant 
on the prayer services held in the chapel on Thursday 
evenings. It costs something in sacrifice, and signifies a 
great deal more to be a prayer meeting Christian. Mr. 
Glascock was entered as a student at the college three years 
after his baptism, and was therefore nineteen years old. 
This writer, knowing him intimately, takes pleasure in 
bearing testimony to the manliness of his carriage during 
his college days. What a joy thus to remember a friend 
of the half-century ago, and to be informed by trustworthy 
acquaintances that he has never swerved from the highway 
of rectitude. 


90 Livina EPisTLEs 


On January 5, 1888, Mr. Glascock was married to Miss 
Lulie R. Richards of Baltimore. Of this union five children 
were born and reared whose names are as follows: Thomas 
B., B. Richards, Emily, Josephine R., and Eleanor E., — 
names given in order of birth. Mr. Glascock’s chosen line 
of life was farming, and he has confined himself to this 
business, finding his joy and comfort in the bosom of his 
own family. He has not forgotten his preceptor, Dr. 
Puryear of Richmond College, and says: “I am a farmer 
trying to make two blades of grass grow where only: one 
grew,” and he might have added that he is also trying to 
have on hand a sufficient herd of steers each year to eat 
the extra blade of grass 


THe Orp Guarp 91 


REV. ALVAN WHITE GRAVES 


As this little booklet nears 
its closing pages, the author 
feels more and more the de- 
sire to emerge from the 
shadow of the impersonal. He 
longs to give loose rein to his 
pen and say plainly and 
easily “I”—But since these 
papers are to be dignified with 
cover or lids, he is forced to 
write, as it were, with his 
left hand. And yet, in all 
that he has written or shall 
write, the left hand and the 
right hand are fully agreed. 
Meantime there is a third 
hand, to which both author and reader are largely indebted. 

With the readers’ permission “we” will unmask just 
for this once—and putting both hands into that third 
‘hand “I” will write freely and easily and honestly, just 
what I know about my friend and our comrade Alvan W. 
Graves. 


‘To accept and be guided by the: leadership of Jesus 
Christ is the best means of making one strong and coura- 
geous, and sane and free and happy. It is not always easy 
to choose the right and eschew the evil in life. One’s 
course in the development of character is largely due to 


92 Living EPIsTLES 


the influence of others, especially of pious parents who are 
the instruments in the hands of the Lord in giving the 
right direction to life. 

While birth and environment place a stamp which can 
never be entirely eradicated, yet prognosis 1s difficult, un- 
certain and oftentimes disappointing when dealing with 
human genius. This was tested by Wm. E. Hatcher and 
several student friends at Richmond College, many years 
ago. They selected a number of young men whom they 
all knew intimately and made a slate of their apparent 
talents and prospects, giving each his status, marking some 
as low as 3, others grading up to 10. The agreement was 
to meet, or report to each other at the expiration of ten 
years, and compare the first slate with the later estimate. 
It was surprising to find that at the end of the ten years, 
several of the conspicuously brilliant, sparkling minds had 
ceased to scintillate, and some of those marked number 3 
had reached the top mark. It was discovered that those 
who had been marked low, but known to have been plodders, 
hard workers, had climbed the ascending scale, and reached 
highest mark, while the possessors of the precocious minds, 
indolently presuming upon their wit, had retrograded or 
failed to advance. 


This interesting test is mentioned to say that Alvan W. 
Graves would have come under neither the head of brilliant 
wit, nor relegated to the inferior mark. As a student, he 
was dependable, serious and earnest. He was aristocratic 
without haughtiness, dignified without aloofness; a sound 
thinker and a graceful writer. He was awarded the writer’s 
medal at Richmond College, and still wears it worthily. 
He took a degree of S. T. D. at Crozer Theological Semi- 
nary. His pen has touched many noble and elevating 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 93 


themes, never descending to the frivolous. His graceful 
style invites many demands from those who are familiar 
with his talent, while his ready generosity makes liberal 
response. He is neither erratic nor commonplace, but one 
of those characters standing four-square when facing 
eventualities. In theology, sound without being critical ; 
in judgment safe, abhoring things little or mean, yet for- 
bearing, forgiving and helpful. His activities have led him 
into varied fields of work, often bringing him face to face 
with problems requiring both wisdom and grace to solve. 
His talents eminently fit him for fields outside of his sacred . 
calling, but never at any time tempting him to depart from 
his God-given choice. He ‘is strictly a minister of the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having given his heart to the 
Lord before he was eleven years old, and to the ministry at 
twenty-five, his whole life has been a Living Epistle, 
frankly, but modestly exposed to all who would read the 
untarnished page. His friendship is cherished by all whose 
good fortune it is to claim it, while his influence for good 
extends far beyond. He was born of God-fearing parents 
near Thornhill in Orange County, Va., on the 15th of 
September, 1851, and as he grew up, obtained the rudi- 
ments of education under a governess teacher in the home, 
later attending various academies, especially Dr. Robt. 
Frazier’s Macedonian School for boys in Orange County, 
Va. And being largely influenced by a pious mother, was 
converted at the early age of eleven years, and baptized 
in a creek into the membership of the Mt. Hermon Baptist 
Church in Spotsylvania County in June, 1862. When 
about seventeen years of age he began teaching school in 
order to earn money to attend Richmond College, having 
a firm conviction that he ought to prepare himself for the 


94. Livina EPiIsTLES 


ministry. From 1870 to 1874 he gave himself to diligent 
study at this institution, and in the fall of 1874 he entered 
Crozer Theological Seminary at Upland, Penn., graduating 
in the full course in 187%. Before leaving the Seminary, 
Brother Graves had been called to the pastorate of the 
Woodberry (now Hampden) Baptist Church in North 
Baltimore, Md., where he was publicly set apart to the 
Gospel ministry by a presbytery consisting of Rev. C. C. 
Bitting, D. D.; Rev. O. F. Flippo, D. D.; Rev. Dr. Frank- 
lin Wilson; Rev. A. J. Hires, D. D.; Rev. Jno. C. Craig, 
D. D.; and Rev. A. B. Woodfin, D. D.,—all pastors in 
Baltimore, Md. 

During his summer vacation young brother Graves had 
the honor of assisting Rev. Barnett Grimsley and Dr. C. R. 
Dickinson, two of the ablest Baptist preachers in their day, 
in the protracted meetings in their country churches. 

Resigning the pastorate of the Woodberry Baptist 
Church, he became successively the pastor of Barnesville, 
Nanjemoy, and Good Hope Baptist Churches in Maryland, 
building a house of worship at the latter place which is 
still kept by that faithful membership in good repair. 
While pastor on this field, Brother Graves was united in 
marriage at the First Baptist Church in Washington D. C., 
by the then pastor Rey. Dr. J. C. Cuthbert, to Miss 
Landonia A. Dutton of Maryland. Of this union three 
children were born, two daughters and one son, the son 
dying in infancy, and the daughters, now Mrs. Geo. M. 
Charles, living in Washington, and Mrs. Walter Dodd in 
King George County, Va. 

Brother Graves next became pastor of Hebron and Horeb 
Baptist Churches in King William County, Va., serving 
here for four years, he was next appointed as missionary 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 95 


pastor in Bath County, Va., of Healing Springs, Horeb, 
Woodland, Williamsville and Deerfield Baptist Churches. © 
The distance of these churches from his home and the 
scattered congregations, rendering the work slow and 
laborious, brother Graves was induced to accept the call of 
the Simpsonville and Smithfield Baptist Churches in 
Kentucky, and at first residing with his family in Louis- 
ville, Ky., he availed himself of the opportunity to take 
a post-graduate course of study under Drs. J. A. Broaddus, 
J. P. Boyce and W. H. Whitsitt, at the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary. 

After four years of most delightful experience and a 
happy pastorate on this latter field, brother Graves being 
threatened with an attack of asthma, was advised by his 
physicians and friends to seek a higher altitude and more 
healthful climate, and accepted a call which came to him 
from the First Baptist Church in Butte City, Mont., in 
the midst of the Rocky Mountains. This change proved to 
be a benefit to his health, and while the customs and ways 
of the Western people, and the many new problems were 
a trial of his faith and courage, yet he persevered, the 
church erecting for him and family a new and handsome 
parsonage, and under his leadership the church greatly 
increased its membership, and from a mission field of the 
American Baptist Home Mission Society, became wholly 
self sustaining, and initiated the work of building a new 
house of worship. 

The next field of labor to which the Lord directed him 
was the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Aspen, 
Pitkin County, Colo. This being strictly a silver-mining 
town, the act of Congress demonetizing and reducing the 
price of silver, had the effect of demoralizing business and 


96 Living EpisTLEs 


of well-nigh depopulating the town. Enduring the priva- 
tions as long as he could, and doing all he could to 
sympathize with and comfort the few remaining members 
of the church, Brother Graves was impelled to seek another 
field of endeavor, and located at North Platte, Nebr., where 
as pastor of the Baptist church, and supply of the First 
Presbyterian Church, he not only found a most delightful 
and congenial people, but by their sympathetic codperation, 
was enabled to accomplish much for the cause of the Master. 


His next pastorate was at Springdale, Ark., but here, 
the spirit of Hardshellism so greatly limited effective effort, 
that the untraveled souls of himself and family caused 
them to turn their steps in the direction of their native 
heath, and he accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate 
of the Baptist Church at Falls Church, Va., where in his 
eight years of service he not only led the church to become 
self-sustaining, but to purchase a parsonage and to collect 
a sinking fund towards the erection of a new house of 
worship. During this pastorate, Brother Graves organized 
a Baptist church at Ft. Myer Heights, and one at Arling- 
ton, Va., building a house of worship at each place. Re- 
signing this field of labor, he was appointed as agent of 
the Washington City Bible Society, which brought him in 
touch with all of the Protestant churches of the city. His 
next settled pastorate was in King George County, Va., 
having charge of Hanover, Woodland and Potomac Baptist 
Churches. Being again threatened with asthma, his chronic 
affliction, he removed after nine years of service, to Fal- 
mouth, Va., assuming the care of the Hull’s Memorial and 
several other churches. 

Finding it quite discouraging to do effective work on 
account of asthma, he removed with his wife to the Blue 


Tue Oxtp Guarp o0O 7 


Ridge Mountain and is now making his home at Round 
Mill, Loudoun County, Va., until such time as the Lord 
may direct his steps to another field of service. An event- 
ful and continuous ministry, crowded with unceasing labor 
and endeavor, and with Divine blessings, and resulting in 
over 1,000 additions by baptism, and nearly as many by 
letter to the various churches which he has so faithfully 
and courageously served. 


98 Living EpisTLES 


REV. GEORGE JONADAB HOBDAY 


The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the six ministers 
at the semi-centennial session living to-day. The others being 
Alfred Bagby, A. B. Dunaway, J. T. Kincanon, L. W. Moore, and 
J. M. Pilcher. 


“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord de- 
livereth him out of them all.” “The Lord redeemeth the soul of 
His servants, and none of them that trust in Him shall be 
desolate.” 


“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: 
to visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions, and to 
keep himself wnspotted from the world.” 


A life of varied service 
consecrated to the Lord is 
the nearest approach to the 
ideal of Him who “went about 
doing good,” and “who gave 
his life a ransom for many.” 

Portsmouth, Va., was the 
place and February 15, 1847, 
was the date of the the birth 
of George Jonadab’ Hobday, 
who was destined to figure 
rather large in the Baptist 
annuals of the state, until his 
bodily afflictions forced him to 
lay aside his armor and retire 
to the privacy of his home. 
Pursuant to his baptism in the sixteenth year of his age 
by Rey. H. J. Chandler, D. D. in 1865 into the fellowship 
of the Freemason Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., he 


THe Oxtp Guarp 99 


gave himself unreservedly to the service of the Savior. 
His attendance at the Virginia Collegiate Institute in 
Portsmouth, as a young man, marked the studious youth, 
and was prophetic of the fixedness of his purpose to obtain 
a thorough education in his calling as a preacher of 
righteousness. With this end in view, he availed himself 
of the facilities and advantages of Richmond College, where, 
in a term of years, he graduated with honor, and dis- 
tinguished himself as a prominent member of the Mu 
Sigma Rho Literary Society. His college course was 
characterized by a dignity of demeanor, a kindliness of 
spirit, a manliness of deportment and an application to 
his studies which made him popular with his classmates, 
favorite with the professors and an example to the student 
body. Subsequent to his college course, he went to the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky., 
where his standing and status were even higher and more 
indicative of his usefulness and his future career as “a 
good minister of Jesus Christ.” An event that contributed 
no little to his success, and to the attainment of his high 
purpose in his vocation, was his marriage on November 8, 
1877, to Miss Mary 8. Thurman, the accomplished niece 
of the well-known and highly esteemed brothers Revs. J. E. 
and J. B. Hutson of Richmond, Va. The ceremony on the © 
occasion being pronounced by Rev. J. B. Hutson. Four 
children, three girls and one son, were born to brother 
and sister Hobday. 


A favorable send-off usually greatly aids a neophite in 
his subsequent career. Brother Hobday was particularly 
fortunate in having as his ordaining council such men as 
Rev. J. B. Jeter, D. D.; Rev. J. L. Burrows, D. D.; Rev. 
Dr. J. L. M. Curry; and Rev. Jos. E. Deans, D. D., some 


100 Livine Epistiues 


of the most distinguished of Virginia Baptist preachers. 
The ordination services were held on the 30th of July, 
1871, at the Salem Baptist Church in Chesterfield County. 
Entering immediately upon the work of the pastorate, 
brother Hobday served with notable success the following 
Baptist churches: Salem, in Chesterfield County, 1872-74; 
Hebron and Hicksford and Waverly, in Portsmouth As- 
sociation, 1874-76; Byrne Street, Petersburg, 1876-78; 
Berkley Avenue, Berkley, 1881-91; and also Shiloh and 
Old Shop, in Prince George County. 


In 1891 brother Hobday was elected by the Virginia 
Baptist General Association as Superintendent of the 
Baptist Orphanage at Salem, Va., serving very success- 
fully in that capacity, adding much to the efficiency of the 
institution, until he had the misfortune to be stricken 
with blindness, in consequence of which, he was under the 
necessity of resigning his position very reluctantly, and 
much to the regret of inmates and patrons of the enter- 
prise. 

At the time of the Jamestown Exposition brother Hob- 
day was appointed as custodian of Buildings and Grounds. 


Now feeble and almost blind and deaf, he and his faith- 
ful devoted wife dwell in privacy in their home at 505 
Berkley Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 


“Only waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown, 

Only waiting till the glimmer of the day’s last beam is 
flown ; 

Then from out the gathered darkness, holy, deathless 
stars arise, 

By whose light his soul shall gladly tread its pathway to 
the skies.” 


Tur Orp Guarp 101 


Delegate to the Semi-Centennial Baptist Association of 
Virginia in 1873, from his mother church, Court Street 
Baptist of Portsmouth, Va. His physical infirmities of 
blindness and deafness prevented his attendance at the 
Centennial in 1923. 


102 Livine Episties 


REV. WILLIAM THOMAS HUNDLEY, D. D. 


A boy, a half-brother of the 
beloved John Walker Hund- 
ley, was born in King and 
Queen County, Va., on the 
twenty - fourth of August, 
1851. An academy at Ste- 
vensville, in the same coun- 
ty, had a deserved reputation, 
and in this school young 
Hundley became a student 
when he attained sufficient 
age for entrance. From that 
school he passed on to Rich- 
mond College in 1869 and re- 
mained until 1873. While at 
college he was awarded the 
Hiram Woods medal for elocution, in the class taught by 
Dr. J. L. M. Curry. He was baptized in August, 1869, 
and became a member of the Mattaponi Baptist Church, 
King and Queen County, where he received his license to 
preach in the fall of 1870, “and was at college a ministerial 
student and attended the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the 
General Association as a messenger from his church while 
he was in college.” 


In 1873, in the fall, he entered Crozer Seminary and 
remained until 1876 and was the only full graduate in 
his class. He was ordained at Mattaponi, while Dr. Alfred 


Tur OxLp Guarp 103 


Bagby was pastor, in June, 1875. He became pastor in 
Northampton County, Va., and served at intervals Red 
Bank, Lower Northampton, EKastville, Cheriton, and Cedar 
Grove churches. He made such a reputation at Red Bank 
that he was called to South Carolina, and there served 
Edgefield, Mt. Tabor, Johnston, Ward, Philippi, Green- 
ville (Central Church), Batesburg, and Beaufort, cover- 
ing a period of twenty-four years. Johnston is the pastor- 
ate with which his brethren in Virginia connect his name 
through many years. While in South Carolina, he was 
vice-president of the first board of trustees of the Baptist 
Orphanage at Greenwood, president of the Board of Min- 
isterial Education, transportation leader of the B. Y. P. U. 
for the entire State, a trustee of Coker College, at Harts- 
ville, and preached the commencement sermon at Coker 
College in 1913, while he was pastor at Beaufort. During 
his residence in South Carolina, he occasionally visited 
Virginia and delighted his friends by his skillful handling 
of the cornet. This talent proved a great solace to him 
in his partial deafness. 


For a time he was pastor of Barton Heights Church, 
Richmond, as well as Winchester, Va. It may be said 
that he was pastor of High Point First Church, N. C., 
and Gainesville and Apopka, Fla. During his pastorate 
at Gainesville, he preached the annual sermon before the 
Baptist State Convention, held in De Land in 1898. At 
this time he was transportation leader of the Florida 
B. Y. P. U. and served for three years as a member of 
the Executive Committee of the International B. Y. P. U. 
While pastor at Apopka, Fla., he married Mrs. Annie C. 
Humphreys, of Bardstown, Ky., his second wife. He 
served as vice-president of the Florida Baptist Convention 


104 Livine Episties 


during its annual session at Gainesville in December, 1922. 
After his second marriage he went to live in De Land, 
Fla., where he now resides. Among the results of his 
ministry may be counted five hundred baptisms and as 
many accessions by letter to the churches of which he was 
pastor. 

During these years of usefulness he received the degree 
of Doctor of Divinity from Columbia College, Fla., on the 
day of his second marriage, May 28, 1918. Since then 
Columbia College has been merged into the John B. 
Stetson University at De Land. He is not only a musician, 
but is also a poet and a composer of music. One of his 
publications is Palmetto Leaves, a booklet of verses, also 
a Centennial ode of forty-two stanzas delivered at the one- 
hundredth anniversary of Edgefield Baptist Church, 8. C. 
He is author of numerous verses and prose articles for the 
Religious Herald and other papers. He is also author of 
Virgima for Jesus, sung at the Centennial in Richmond, 
and T’wo Little Shoes and a Bonnet, music and words. His 
Alma Mater, sung at Richmond College commencement, 
has gained for him great eclat. 

Tn all his experiences he has maintained his affection for 
the church of his youth and was a messenger at the Semi- 
Centennial Meeting in 1873 and the Centennial Meeting 
of the General Association in 1923, from Mattaponi 
Church where he was baptized and ordained. 

He is known for his geniality and affection which make 
him universally beloved. These qualities, although he 
has lived outside of the State so much of his ministerial 
life, cause him to be as much esteemed in Virginia as any 
of his contemporaries. He is now without a pastorate and 
hopes he may resume work in his native State from time 
to time as a supply. 


THe Ortp Guarp 105 


REV. G. W. HURT 


He attended the memorial 
session of 1873; heard Dr. 
C. C. Bitting deliver his ad- 
dress of welcome, Dr. Jeter’s 
report on the condition of 
our work in Italy, Dr. Curry’s 
wonderful address at Rich- 
mond College, and slept on a 
cot in the basement of the 
Bainbridge Street Baptist 
Church. He has a more vivid 
recollection of that session 
than that of 1923, when he 
was called home on the sec- 
ond day to conduct a funeral. 

His parents were Geo. 8S. 
and Laura EK. Hurt. He was born December 17, 1857, 
the oldest of eight sons and two daughters. Four of the 
sons became preachers and the oldest daughter mo rried a 
preacher, L. E. Barton. 


His education, such as he could get at the public schools 
of that day, was supplemented by three sessions and six 
months at Richmond College, and from there he received 
diplomas in Latin, Greek, and Chemistry. He is a “full 
graduate” of Southern Baptist Seminary, with some extras. 
He had to leave college March 1st of his first session, 
°78-"79, with a severe case of muscular rheumatism, which 


106 Livine EPpisti4s 


developed double lateral spinal curvature. He went back 
the following session, under the emphatic protest of his 
physician, and made his classes. In August, 1880, he 
had a plaster cast put on and in the fall took work under 
the Sunday School and Bible Board, and began preaching 
in that cast, which he wore nine months. Notwithstand- 
ing this fact, his vigorous expression leaves you in doubt 
whether his son, Dr. Hurt, is really a son or a brother. 
You must be assured, however, that in the accompanying 
picture he is neither the brother, nor the father but the 
grandfather. He is determined that “The Old Guard” 
shall be perpetuated through future generations. He is 
himself the youngest member of the original group. 


He organized Arbor Church, to which he preached until 
he left college in 1883. He was baptized by J. R. Bagby, 
September, 1871, into the fellowship of Mount Moriah 
Church, Powhatan County. He was ordained at the same 
church, August, 1884, by J. R. Bagby, W. E. Hatcher, 
St. George Tucker Abrahams, and J.-H. Pearcy, and was 
at that time student pastor of Portland Avenue, Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

He became pastor of Elizabethtown and New Salem 
churches, succeeding John R. Moffett at New Salem in 
1885, one year before graduation, and continued at Eliza- 
bethtown till July, 1891, when he took charge of the 
church at Guyton, Ga. He left Georgia for Powhatan, 
July, 1896, with the expectation of spending from six to 
twelve months in absolute rest from the responsibilities of 
a pastorate and the hope of regaining vitality long over- 
taxed. So rapid was the improvement that when a call 
came from Onancock, he was unwilling to keep them wait- 
ing. He served Onancock from October, 1896 to October, 


ee 


Tur Oxp Guarp 107 


1903; Brandy, Stevensburg, and Lael, April, 1904 to 1921. 
He is still pastor at Brandy and also at Mechanicsville, 
- each once a month since March, 1921. 

In 1873 he was a delegate from Mount Moriah Church, 
Powhatan County, Middle District Association. In 1923 
he represented Lael, Shiloh Association, Culpeper County. 

He has a splendid family and one of his sons is a 
physician in Roanoke, Va., and a valuable member of 
Calvary Church. Mr. Hurt is a forceful speaker, and in 
voice and vim resembles the famous Dr. Cornelius Tyree. 
His long pastorate at Brandy, Stevensburg and Lael, and 
especially at Lael, Culpeper County, endeared him to the 
people and his resignation at Lael was a source of distress 
to the people. He lived so long at Lignum that his name 
is inseparably connected with that place. 


In the summer of 1881, he worked with Rev. J. L. 
Lawless as missionary of the Goshen Association, and they 
had some remarkable meetings. He is a young man 
although he was born in 1857 and struggled in his youth 
against disease and weakness. As a colporter, he was so 
infirm in his plaster-cast jacket that he dreaded the 
necessary contact with the people in their homes. But he 
persevered and Arbor Church, Amelia County, is a 
memorial of his faithful labors as a colporter. He evident- 
ly has many years of usefulness before him. 


108 Livina Episties 


REV. VERNON VANSON, D. D. 


No higher ideal can be cherished or more honorable goal can 
be held in view than is found in a life of service keyed to the 
glory of God and the spiritual and moral uplift of humanity. 


The subject of this sketch, 
Rey. Vernon I’Anson, seems 
to have formed that ideal and 
aimed at that goal through- 
out his career. 

Petersburg was the city of 
his birth*and July 6, 1850 
the date. M. D. I’Anson, his 
father, served as deacon of 
the First Baptist Church of 
that city for nearly half a 
century. His mother, Mrs. 
Jane Thompson Thornton 
T’Anson, was a first cousin of 
the distinguished Rev. Tiber- 
ius Gracchus Jones, D. D., 
but was herself a strong Presbyterian in faith and al- 
legiance, and had her infant son sprinkled or christened 
in the Second Presbyterian Church of Petersburg, the rite 
being performed by the pastor, Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, 
the father of the late President Woodrow Wilson, the 
little Vernon struggling and protesting and fighting the 
preacher vigorously meanwhile. The Rev. T. W. Sydnor, 
one of the staunchest of Virginia Baptist preachers, learn- 


Tur Orp Guarp 109 


ing of the performance, prepared and preached a sermon 
on infant baptism, in the course of which he spoke of the 
incident, and later young [’Anson was immersed in his 
eighteenth year on April 3, 1868 by Rev. Daniel Witt, 
D. D., and in 1870 the neophite was licensed to preach 
by the Sharon Baptist Church in Prince Edward County, 
Va. Being thoroughly equipped by his training and his 
course of study for four years at Richmond College for 
his chosen profession, he was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by vote of the First Baptist Church of 
Petersburg by a presbytery consisting of Rev. Wm. E. 
Hatcher, D. D., Rev. J. E. Hutson, D. D., and Rev. C. C. 
Bitting, D. D. 

Brother ’?Anson has served as pastor most acceptably 
and successfully the High Hills and Antioch Baptist 
churches in Sussex County, Sidney and West Main Street 
Baptist churches in Richmond, Third Church and Grace 
Church in Norfolk, and Columbia Church in South Caro- 
lina, besides eight or ten other churches in various towns 
and in the country. These pastorates together with his 
evangelistic efforts have resulted in nearly twenty-five 
hundred baptisms, and about one thousand additional 
professions of religion. Ten churches have been organized 
and eight church edifices erected by his leadership. His 
work has been characterized by conscientious thoroughness 
and efficiency. The Central University of Iowa conferred 
upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Much of his 
success has .been due to the sympathetic aid and counsel 
of his prudent and devoted wife whom, as Miss Mattie 
Tiller, of Emporia, Va., he married in 1880. 


When a mere youth of fourteen years, young I’Anson 
was in the Confederate Army until retired when Gen, 


110 Livina EPpistLeEs 


Robert EH. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. | 
For several years he was president of the Collegiate In- 
stitute, Seaborn, N. C., and for six years, chaplain general 
of the Virginia Division of the Army of Northern Virginia. 

In 1873, as one of the students of Richmond College, 
he was a delegate to the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the 
Virginia General Association in Richmond -from_ the 
Sharon Baptist Church in the Appomattox Association, 
and at ‘the great Centennial gathering in that city in 
1923, he was representative of the First Baptist Church 
of Norfolk, Va., in which city he now resides and still © 
serves the Lord by holding service nearly every Sunday 
and caring for the orphans at the City Home. 

This worthy member of “The Old Guard,’ now of 
dimmed vision and some bodily infirmities, seems to have 
been influenced by the beautiful spirit contained in the 
words of the poet :— 


“T live for those who love me, 

For those who know me true, 

For the Heaven that smiles above me, 
And awaits my coming too, 

For all human ties that bind me, 
For the task that is assigned me, 

For the bright hopes that are to find me, 
And the good that I can do.” 


Tue Oxtp Guarp 111 


W. M. JAMES 


Solomon says, “Seest thou a man diligent in business? he shall 
stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.” 


William M. James is a 
loyal son of Loudoun County, 
Va. Born near Round Hill 
on the eleventh of November 
in 1853, he was content to 
remain in that lovely, pic- 
turesque region, the garden 
spot of Virginia, which lends 
peculiar historical interest to 
our people as the section in 
which was organized the first 
Baptist Church in the Old 
Dominion. Semple says :“The 
first regular Baptist churches 
in Virginia were united to 
the Philadelphia Association. 
In 1765, they were dismissed from the Philadelphia Asso- 
ciation and on the nineteenth of August, 1766, they met 
by their delegates at Ketockton in Loudoun.” 


Mr. James was baptized in Ketockton Creek and became 
a member of Ketockton Church on the twenty-fifth of 
July, 1870, the ordinance of baptism being administered 
by that noble man of God, the Rev. Thos. Benton Shep- 
herd. He attended the local schools of Loudoun County, 
and Locust Dale Academy in Madison County, and was 


112 Lrvine Episties 


later graduated with honor from Richmond College. At 
various times he served as deacon, clerk, and superin- 
tendent of Sunday school of Ketockton Church, and after 
the organization of the Round Hill Baptist Church, he 
became one of the most useful and substantial members 
thereof, supporting by his regular attendance, counsel 
and means, all of the interests of the church and Sunday 
school, and at this writing is teacher of a large men’s 
Bible class in the latter. 

At North Fork Baptist Church in Loudoun County, 
he was joined in marriage to Miss Rose Craig, the cere- 
mony being performed by the pastor, Rev. P. T. Warren. 
Two children were born of this marriage, a daughter, 
Miss Lucille, now Mrs. Jos. C. Rogers, of Round Hill, 
and one son, Willie Lake, who died in 1904. Mr. James 
and his interesting family at this writing reside in their 
hospitable home at Round Hill, Va., highly esteemed by 
every one in the wide circle of their friends and ac- 
quaintances, actively engaged in all of the work of the 


church and its auxiliaries, deeply interested in all that 


concerns the town and community, friends to every worthy 
cause, and of whom we may say with Gray: 


“Far from the maddening crowd’s ignoble strife 
Their sober wishes never learned to stray ; 
Along the cool sequestered vale of life 
They keep the noiseless tenor of their way.” 


Mr. James attended the Semi-Centennial Association 
in 1873, representing Ketockton Baptist Chureh, and the 
Centennial in 1923, as a delegate from the Round Hill 
Baptist Church, 


vv 


=—- =< 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 113 


REV. J. T. KINCANON, D. D. 


The subject of this sketch 
is one of the six ministers 
present at the Semi-Centen- 
nial Session living to-day. 

Venerable indeed, he ap- 
pears with his long, white 
beard and his serious air. 
Born December 26, 1837. He 
has a deliberate style of speak- 
ing and an impressive de- 
livery, and has had a varied 
experience and has been a 
power in the Kingdom of 
Christ. He is the only child 
of Francis and Martha Kin- 
canon and was born in Smyth 
County, Va., six miles southwest of Marion, Va. He was 
baptized in February, 1858, in the South Fork of the 
Holston River, ten miles southwest of Marion. He was 
educated in three colleges: Emory and Henry, Washing- 
ton County; Alleghany, in Greenbriar County; and Rich- 
mond College. 


He was licensed to preach by the church at Marion, 
September 10, 1859, and was ordained at Saint Klair’s 
Bottom Church about October, 1865, after the close of the 
Civil War, by David Kitzmiller and J. Mahayney. He 
was married April 23, 1862 to Miss Emma Cole, of Smyth 


114 Livina EpistTLes 


County, by Rev. William Huff, ten miles southwest of 
Marion. ‘The parents on his wife’s side were Sampson 
and Asenath Cole. He entered the Confederate army 
while he was at college and was a soldier during the whole 
War and was in Fort Delaware, a prisoner of war, and 
with Lieutenant Josiah Ryland, was liberated June 9, 1860. 
During his ministerial career he was moderator of the 
Lebanon and the Strawberry associations. He says he 
never sought a pastorate directly or indirectly, and never 
was without one. His pastorates were Goodson Church, 
in the Virginia part of Bristol; then called Goodson, now 
the First Baptist Church of Bristol, Tenn., twelve years 
ago from May 7, 1866; then at Liberty, now Bedford City, 
afterwards at Blountsville, Johnson City, Eley, Bluff City, 
Tenn., and at Marion, Wytheville, and country churches in 
Virginia. In all he had twenty-seven pastorates. 


Let him speak for himself: 


“Bristol was my first field. I found the church com- 
posed of whites and colored as in pre-war times, and the 
colored strength had the larger part of the piety visible. 
M. B. Wharton, highly gifted young preacher had served 
them, but after two years without a pastor, the cause was 
seemingly hopelessly down and out. But I stuck to the 
task and gave the Baptists some standing and character. 
I started a school at my own expense and this developed 
into Bristol Female College. This gave the Baptists some 
standing among all the people and among the young 
women we had for a time, I now count eight who 
became wives of Baptist preachers, such as James M. Mc- 
Manaway and J. W. Wildman. From some others came 
very pious and strong men. But in all this I was side- 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 115 


tracking myself, yet never mind, the Intermont College 
really sprang out of the ashes of what seemed to be labor 
lost. | 

“Before that, on coming home from college, I became an 
officer in the Confederate infantry, fought the thing 
through when I should have taken some strictly Christian 
work, although I preached all along and had great evidence 
of doing good. I was, in April, 1863, offered a chaplaincy 
that I had not sought, but my commanders, Gen. John 
Echols and Maj. John C. Breckinridge, thought me too 
valuable an officer to be allowed to leave, and so I finally 
landed in prison, Fort Delaware, and on June 14, 1865 
Lieutenant Josiah Ryland and I came to Richmond. 

“T'o preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God has 
always been my greatest joy. As the old preacher used 
to say: ‘I believe in the Bible from lid to lid” Nothing 
of the isms for me. I had been a wholehearted advocate 
of prohibition before the Anti-Saloon League was born. If 
I could go back and come again, I would be a preacher and 
nothing else. To God be all the glory now and ever, 
Amen.” 


116 Livina EpistEs 


REV. J. L. LAWLESS, D. D. 


“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” 


The subject of this sketch 
was, in his prime, of a very 
happy and cheerful disposi- 
tion, a picturesque and _ be- 
loved character, a gentle and 
simple spirit, a strong and 
forceful personality, with the 
strength and vision and 
patience of a martyr, and in 
his love for humanity, one of 
the greatest dispensers of 
comfort and good cheer and 
blessing that is often met 
with among men. 

Born November 3, 1848 in 
Bedford County, Va., which 
has furnished so many of Virginia’s distinguished min- 
isters of the gospel, he early acquired studious habits, and 
after his conversion in 1868 and baptism by Rev. A. 
Eubank, D. D., into the fellowship of the Mount Olivet 
Baptist Church in the Strawberry Association, he attended 
for five years the Sunny Side High School of which Dr. 
A. Eubank was the founder and principal, and then Rich- 
mond College for a year and a half followed by two 
sessions at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 
Greenville, S. C., and another full session at the Theolog- 


Tur Oxp Guarp 117 


ical Seminary after its removal to Louisville, Ky. The 
ordination of brother Lawless took place in 1875 in Bed- 
ford, by a council composed of Rev. A. Eubank, Rev. J. A. 
Davis, D. D., Rev. Cornelius Tyree, D. D., and Rev. W. A. 
Montgomery, D. D. With marked success and in most 
happy relations, he served as pastor the Baptist churches 
of Bowling Green, Va.; St. Joseph, Mo.; Marion, Ala. ; 
and Franklin, Carrsville, and Holland Va. During these 
various pastorates, under his leadership four churches 
were organized and three houses of worship and three 
parsonages were erected, and about eleven hundred con- 
verts were baptized. At the close of the session of 1905, 
the trustees of Richmond College conferred upon brother 
Lawless the honorary degree of D. D., which he has 
worthily worn throughout his career. On May 10, 1878, 
he led to the altar Miss Emma Barker, second daughter 
of Rev. Francis Marion Barker, the ceremony being per- 
formed by Rev. Alexander Eubank, D. D. Six children 
were born of this union, viz.: Marian, now Mrs. Claude J. 
Edwards, of Franklin, Va.; Ida, now Mrs. J. H. Norfleet, 
of Newberry, Fla.; Bessie, now Mrs. W. H. Arthur, of 
Franklin, Va.; Ethel, now Mrs. D. Hill Stevens, of Rich- 
mond, Va.; Emma, now Mrs. C. Mason Smith, of Fred- 
ericksburg, Va.; and J. L. Lawless, Jr., married to Miss 
Mary Parrish, of Goochland, Va., and living in Rich- 
mond, Va. It is worthy of note that Dr. Lawless baptized 
each one of his children and performed the marriage 
ceremony of each with the exception of the son, and all 
of them are comfortably settled in their own homes. 
Since the death of Mrs. Lawless, the wife and mother, on 
February 2, 1923, Dr. Lawless has been making his home 
with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Claude J. Edwards, in 


118 Livine EPpistTLEs 


Franklin, Va., and while incapacitated for the work of 
the ministry, yet in deepest love and sympathy in his 
heart for his co-workers in the service of the Lord, he is 
keenly alert and alive to the progress of the affairs of the 
Kingdom. 


In 1873, brother Lawless was a delegate to the Semi- 
Centennial Association in Richmond, Va., from the Mt. 
Hermon Baptist Church in the Strawberry Association, 
and at the Centennial Association in 1923 he was a repre- 
sentative from the Franklin Baptist Church in the Black- 
water Association. 


After all, there is but one real luxury in all the world 
and it is composed of six things: Jesus, home, mother, 
children, love, and faithfulness in the work that goes 
with them; and these have all been strikingly coalesced 
in the life of the subject of this biography. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp seek 


REV. JULIAN M. LUCK 


“A task well begun is half 
done.” Nature and grace can 
do much in the formation and 
development of character and 
in the successful prosecution 
of one’s life purposes. 

These facts were strikingly 
demonstrated in the career of 
Julian M. Luck who was born 
on the fourth of December, 
1847 in Bedford County, Va., 
near Montvale. Being a quiet 
and modest youth with serious 
views of life’s possibilities 
and attainments, he early 
conceived the idea of becom- 
ing a minister of the gospel. With this end in view, after 
attending the Home School of Dr. Eubank near Bedford 
City, and in order to further fit himself for his chosen 
profession under the Divine call, he attended Richmond 
College and while there was converted and baptized by 
Rev. J. L. Burrows, D. D., to the fellowship of the First 
Baptist Church of Richmond in the year 1869 in the 
twenty-second year of his age. 


Leaving college at the close of the session of 1872, he 
attended for three years the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary, then located at Greenville, S. C., and return- 


120 Livina Episties 


ing home was set apart to the full work of the ministry 
at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in June, 1875, by a 
council consisting of Rev. Cornelius Tyree, D. D.; Rev. 
G. Gray; Rev. C. James, D. D.; Rev. J. R. Harrison ; 
Rey. J. A. Davis; and his own father, Rev. Geo. P. Luck, 
DD: 

On the second of February, 1876, brother Luck was 
happily united in marriage to Miss Ozella Eugenie Arnold. 
Of this union seven childen were born, two of whom died 
in infancy, and five are still living, viz.: Dr. Eugene Luck, 
three daughters married, and one, a trained nurse, single. 
That brother Luck did not disappoint the hopes of his 
friends and the expectations of the council who ordained 
him, his subsequent career amply demonstrates. For ten 
years he was an appointee of the State Mission Board of 
Virginia to labor in the counties of Giles and Pulaski,— 
built one church in Pulaski and one in Dublin, and while 
preaching in Bedford, inaugurated the construction of 
another church by the purchase of a suitable lot. _ 

Later, he became successively and successfully pastor at 
~ South Boston, Black Walnut, Halifax, Vernon Hill, Cam- 
bria, Blacksburg, Pulaski, Hollins, Troutville, Mill Creek, 
and Cloverdale, and the the second time at Pulaski and 
Halifax, and completed two churches and two parsonages 
in the county of Halifax. Huis last pastorate was at 
Crozet, Mountain Top and Free Union. The net result 
of his various pastorates, and his faithful labors, was two 
thousand or more souls born into the Kingdom. His 
beloved life-companion who, throughout his splendid 
career, had been his devoted ally and his inspiration, was 
claimed by death in 1917, and feeling the infirmity of age, 
and at the same time, his joy and gratitude that his prayer — 


Tue Orp Guarp 121. 


was answered that his life might be spared until he 
reached his seventieth year, he resigned the pastorate of 
his churches and retired to lead a quiet and restful ex- 
perience with Mrs. Albert Dickens, one of his married 
daughters, in Roanoke, Va., and during the summer months 
they occupy their bungalow on the original home place 
in Bedford County. 


For several years brother Luck was a trustee of Hollins 
Institute, and of the Baptist Orphanage, and for thirty 
years a member of the Board of Managers of the latter 
institution. 


Truly an ideal ministry crowned with rich blessings of 
Providence, he has earned the rest which now in his 
seventy-seventh year he enjoys, and the “well done” of the 
approving Saviour. 


122 Livine EPiIstLEs 


JUDGE C. E. NICOL 


A high standard, ambition, 
indomitable energy, persever- | 
ance, and thorough honesty 
will invariably insure success 
in any calling. 

These were the character- 
istics of Judge C. E. Nicol, 
the subject of this sketch, 
who first saw the light amid 
humble surroundings at 

- Brentsville, in Prince Wil- 
ham County, Va., on, Feb- 
ruary 22, 1854. As a young 
man he was very conservative, 
of ajudicial temperament, and 
took a serious view of what 

was involved in each step of his career, and consequently - 

did not yield to the persuasion of friends and the influence 

of the gospel until after he had entered Richmond College, 
and was baptized into the fellowship of the Second Baptist 

Church in Richmond, Va., in 1874, by Rev. C. C. Bitting, 

D. D., the pastor. Having a steady purpose in view, he 

pursued his studies at college with notable zeal and success, 
graduating with high honors and winning, besides, the 
best writer’s medal. Feeling that he was not as fully 
equipped for his chosen profession of law as he desired 
to be, he attended the University of Virginia, graduating 


THe Oxtp GuarpD 123 


with distinction, and winning, over several able compet- 
itors, the best debator’s medal. Having developed his 
knowledge of Constitutional Law to an eminent degree, 
he was chosen by his constitutents as their representative 
in the Legislature of Virginia for six years consecutively, 
and later to the Constitutional Convention in Richmond, 
to aid in the revision of the laws of the State of Virginia. 
His eminent qualifications brought to him the high honor 
of judge of the circuit court, which position he filled for 
twelve years, and from whose ruling there never was an 
appeal to a higher tribunal. Judge Nicol now owns a 
magnificent home at Manassas, Va., where he, with his 
first wife and four children, lived for a number of years, 
until after the death of his wife, he removed to Alexandria, 
Va., where he now resides in his colonial mansion with 
his second wife and several of his children now grown to 
maturity. For a number of years, Judge Nicol was an- 
nually chosen to preside as the moderator of the Potomac 
Baptist Association, an office for which his qualifications 
eminently fitted him. 

He still continues the practice of his chosen profession, 
and for his sterling honesty and high qualities of mind 
and heart, few men in his native State are held in more 
sincere esteem. 

In 1873 he was a delegate to the Baptist General As- 
sociation of Virginia from the Manassas Baptist Church, 
and in 1923 from the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 
Va. 


124 Living EPiIsTLEs 


ROBERT HEALY PITT, D. D., LL. D. 


Robert Healy Pitt was born 
June 26, 1853 in Middlesex 
County, Va. His parents were 
Douglass and Anne Cather- 
ine (Wortham) Pitt. He was 
educated in the schools of his 
native county and at Rich- 
mond College. On October 
21, 1879, Dr. Pitt and Miss 
Annie Clare Robertson, of 
Hanover County, were mar- 
ried. Five noble children and 
three lovely grandchildren 
now delight to honor them. 

Dr. Pitt was ordained to 
the gospel ministry in 1879, 
and later served joyously and successfully in the following 
pastorates: Walnut Grove and Cool Springs, in Hanover 
County; Venable Street, Richmond; Martinsburg, W. Va.; 
Venable Street, Richmond (second pastorate); Barton 
Heights, Richmond; and Ashland, Va. 

In September, 1888, Dr. Pitt became editor of the 
Religious Herald, and has since served the Baptists of 
Virginia, the South, and the world through his remarkable 
editorial gifts. Because of his originality and strength of 
thought, his clear and logical expression, his grasp and use 
of a pure and beautiful English, and because of his long 
editorial experience, Dr. Pitt easily ranks as one of the 
ablest editors among the Baptists of the world to-day. He 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 195 


has had much to do with shaping the Baptist sentiment of 
Virginia, and has had a marked influence in determining 
their policies. Virginia Baptists are looked upon as 
“sanely progressive,” and this is due in no small degree 
to the editorial utterances and policies of the Religious 
Herald. 

Our distinguished brother has served, or is serving, in 
the following important positions: American secretary of 
the Baptist World Alliance; president of the Religious 
Herald Company; president of Baptist Education Com- | 
mission of Virginia; president of the Virginia Anti-Saloon | 
League; president of the Baptist General Association of 
Virginia; a member of the Board of Trustees of Richmond * 
College, of Crozer Seminary, and of the Foreign Mission * 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has also_ 
served on innumerable committees and commissions of the 
Baptist General Association of Virginia, the Southern 
Baptist Convention, and of the Baptist World Alliance. 
Several times the duties assigned Dr. Pitt have necessitated 
trans-Atlantic trips. Dr. Pitt was instrumental in_induc- 
ing the Baptists to place a suitable memorial to John 
Bunyan in Westminister Abbey; he had much to do with 
bringing about the Jamestown Exposition in 1907; and 
helped to launch the movement that culminated in the 
formation of the Baptist World Alliance. In recognition 
of his marked ability, Mercer University in 1892 con- 
ferred on him the degree of D. D., and in 1902, Richmond 
College conferred on him the degree of LL. D. 

In all these services, and with all these honors, Dr. Pitt 
has remained a gentle, humble and consecrated Christian 
brother who has ever been a helpful friend of all good 
people and good causes, and although the years are ac- 
cumulating, his face is radiant and toward the future. 


By R. A. MacF. 


126 Livina EPistTLEs 


ROBERT N. POLLARD 


The subject of this sketch 
comes of distinguished an- 
cestry, prominent in the af- 
fairs of state and church in 
the years that belong to the 
Colonial life of old Virginia. 
His honored father was 
Colonel John Pollard, a law- 
yer of note in King and 
Queen County, a useful citi- 
zen and the leader in Matta- 
poni Church for many long 
years, from the time of his 
baptism to the day of his 
death. His mother was the 
sister of the Hon. James M. 
Jeffries, one of Virginia’s ablest judges. He is the young- 
est and the only living child of a family of four sons and 
three daughters. Two of his brothers, Thomas and John, 
were preachers, and one a lawyer, James, the father of 
Mrs. H. M. Wharton, of Baltimore. One of his sisters, 
Sarah Jane, was the wife of the Rev. Alfred Bagby, D: D., 
who still lives at the advanced age of ninty-six years. 
And his third brother was the Hon. H. R. Pollard, a 
distinguished lawyer of King and Queen and Richmond, 
and for many years the city attorney of Richmond and a 
deacon in the Grove Avenue Church. 


Tue Oxtp Guarp | 127 


Robert N. Pollard was born at Bel Air, King and Queen 
County, Va., on the eighth of June, 1847, and was bap- 
tised in the Mattaponi River at Newington, on the four- 
teenth of August, 1858, by the Rev. Richard Hugh Bagby, 
D. D. He was educated at Stevensville Academy under 
some of the best teachers of the time. When through 
school he married Miss Martha Gresham, and for quite a 
number of years lived at Bel Air and followed the double 
occupation of farmer and lawyer. Since his wife’s death 
he has resided and still resides at Stevensville, where he 
enjoys in a restful content the closing days of a long and 
useful life, loved and honored by all who know him. He 
has always been a member of the Mattaponi Church. His 
father, Col. John Pollard, was superintendent of the Mat- 
taponi Sunday school for thirty-four years, his brother, 
H.R. Pollard, twelve years, and he is now the superin- 
tendent and has been for thirty-five years. The three, 
father and two sons, served the old church in that capac- 
ity for eighty-one consecutive years. This is a fact worth 
remembering, because of its uniqueness. Brother Pollard 
was at the Semi-Centennial in 1873 and at the Centennial 
in 1923. Mattaponi has the distinction of having four 
men still living who were present at both meetings and 
whose ages aggregate at this writing three hundred and 
twenty-five years. 

This sketch is written by one of his boyhood friends 
who has known him through many long years and who 
loves him with an ever increasing affection as the shadows 
_lengthen. 

W. T. 4H. 


128 Livina EPiIstTLEs 


REV. S. M. PROVENCH, D. D. 


A few days before the meet- 
ing of the Virginia Baptist 
Centennial Session, I wrote 
to Dr. Provence, suggesting a 
get-together meeting of the 
Richmond College boys of 
1872-73. His response was 
so sweet and so characteristic 
that his old chums shall have 
his words. 

“October 30, 1923.: 
My dear Tom :— 

It was a joy to hear from 
you. By all means, the scat- 
tered remnants of 773 bunch 
ought to get their legs togeth- 
er under the mahogany somewhere in Richmond during the 
November meetings. I wish I had room for them, but my 


wife and I are living inva little one-story cottage, just about 
big enough to turn around in. Our youngest daughter, who 
is teaching English in the John Marshall High School, 
bought it last summer, while we were visiting our oldest 
son at Furman University, Greenville, 8. C., in order to 
have a place of her own where she could take care of us. 
Of course all our children are interested in seeing that we 
suffer no lack. I don’t suppose the Herald has heard from 
all that bunch, but there are several of them in Virginia. 


Tue Oxnp Guarp 129 


Tom Hundley is visiting in King and Queen, from Florida. 
He was once pastor of the Barton Heights Church where 
we have our membership. Some months ago I got a letter 
from Jule Luck, who is still in Bedford County. We must 
round up all who come. I shall be eighty at my next 
birthday anniversary, if I live to see it, and if I ever 
could preach, I can still. Last Sunday week I was at old 
Berea to assist in the ordination of some deacons. I 
preached in the morning and in the evening, taught the 
Men’s Bible Class and spoke to the Sunday school and the 
epi hea area BA 

“Tf you see the Senior Quarterly or the Teacher Senior 
Department, you can imagine how much I am enjoying 
the work. Give my love to your pastor, Shelbourne. I 
walk with difficulty on account of an injury sustained in 
pushing a Ford car out of the sand in South Texas, but 
am well otherwise. Thanking you for your kind words, 


I am as always, Most sincerely yours, 


S. M. PRovENcE. 


N. B.—I-am plain Sam to all the old bunch.” 


What was in the mind of the author to have said about 
our beloved comrade and college chum, must, in the 
providence of God, be abandoned. Dr. Pitt’s tribute in 
the Herald, April 10th is so beautifully rendered that it 
is deemed eminently fitting to give it place just here. 

“Dr. Provence was born in Tennessee but in early 
youth came to Virginia. The story, which he loved to 
tell of his coming to Richmond College, then struggling 
up through the debris left by the devastating war of 
1861-65, and of his privations and difficulties in getting 


130 Livine EPIsTLEes 


his education, has in it all the elements of a romance. 
In those hard but delightful years his ideals were framed 
and the high and dominating purposes of his long and 
useful life were formed. These ideals he never forsook 
and these purposes he never abandoned. He had a long 
and eminently useful career as pastor, mainly in other 
Southern states. Through some of the churches to which 
he ministered were relatively strong and important, yet 
so far as we know he never had an easy place. Hard work 
and comparatively meager material rewards were his por- 
tion. However, he was moved less than any man we have 
know by considerations of this kind. If he could make 
those who were dependent upon him comfortable, and 
care satisfactorily for them in other respects, his am- 
bitions in this direction were fulfilled. His own life was 
lived in a totally different realm. He loved his books 
and particularly the Book. It was touching and inspir- 
ing to note how, in these recent years when he was no 
longer active in the pastorate he delighted to be in his 
little workshop, and found inexpressible pleasure in trans- 
lating the New Testament. In work like this he had quite 
as much and quite as genuine enthusiasm as any athletic 
boy ever felt on the ball field. 

“There wasn’t a sordid bone in his gigantic frame. He 
was incapable of meanness, and his scorn for meanness 
in others was righteous and withering. There never was 
a more gallant or devoted husband, or a prouder or more 
loyal father, or a more steadfast and faithful friend. Our 
personal relations with him over a long stretch of years 
were delightfully intimate and tender. Virginia loved 
him and-rejoiced when he came back to spend his closing 
days on her sacred soil. Ee ge am 


Tue Oxp Guarp 131 


“In the summer of 1922, when it became the duty of 
the Editor of the Herald to go to London, Dr. Provence 
took editorial charge of the paper. He did his work well, 
so well that it not only met the full approbation of the 
editor himself, but was most acceptable and satisfactory 
to the great Herald family. He reveled in it. He had 
literary taste and training and editorial gumption and 
would have made indeed, if Providence had ordered his 
steps in that direction, a notable religious editor. He was 
a master of English undefiled.” 


The real story of the life of our dear friend and comrade 
must be left to the future historian. 


Our brother has gone first and far above us, yet in 
memory, we still enjoy the sweet strains from his beloved 
flute. Some day, when days are no more, our Hundley 
muse will supply the words, while our full “Old Guard” 
choir wafts the song and angels take up the chorus. 


182 Living Episties 


POWHATAN W. REYNOLDS 


This elegant, courteous 
gentleman modestly speaks 
of himself as an unofficial 
member of his church. He 
was a splendid student at 
Richmond College and_ his 
old mates have a keen pleas- 
ure in greeting him in his 
commercial and church activ- 
ities. What he calls his in- 
efficiency is due to his occu- 
pation, that of a traveling 
salesman, which keeps him 
away from home much of the 
time. He bears an important 
part in the activities of the 
church, financially, and when he can be in Christiansburg — 
on Sunday he is a devout and hearty participant in the 
worship of the church. 


He was born at Boone’s Mill, Franklin County, Va., 


October 4, 1847, and was baptized by Rev. Thomas Goggin, 
at Gogginsville, Franklin County. 


He was, at one period of his life, a school teacher and 
is now representing a wholesale house of Baltimore. He 
was, after Fairmount Church, a member several years of 
the First Baptist Church of Roanoke and subsequently a 
member and deacon of the Main Street Church of Chris- 


Tur Oxnp Guarp 133 


tiansburg, Va. He was married on November 25, 1885 
to the lovely and lovable Miss Sallie Word, of Roanoke, 
and has a beautiful home in Christiansburg. He at- 
tended the Semi-Centennial Meeting of the General As- 
sociation in 1873 as a messenger from Fairmount Church, 
Franklin County, and the Centennial meeting in 1923 
from Main Street Church, Christiansburg. 

His stirring speech from the floor on the last day of 
the Centennial Session gave ample evidence of his zeal 
in the cause, and his hopeful vision of the Baptist future. 


134 Livine EpistLes 


ROBERT SEMPLE RYLAND 


He is eighty-five years old 
and says he has no occupation 
because he is disabled, but 
he was in fine fettle at the 
Centennial Meeting in 1923. 
His post office address is now 
2501 West Grace Street, Rich- 
mond, Va. 

He was born in King Wil- 
liam County, April 18, 1838. 

He was a gallant soldier 
in the Civil War as a member 
of the King William Artil- 
lery, and was shot three times, 
once very severely, and once 
his horse was shot under him. 
He was taken prisoner in March, 1865, and released on 
June 9, 1865, with scarcely life in his body, suffering 
from typhoid fever, and was unable to reach home until 
the first Saturday in’'September. What a termination of 
a service of four years in the Army of the Confederacy ! 


He was baptized at Beulah Church, King William 
County, by Rev. R. A. Fox, in September, 1863. After 
the War, when we were able to take part in national 
Sunday school activities, he was a delegate to the National 
Sunday School Convention in Washington, D. C. Hay- 
ing been educated at Richmond College, he readily be- 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 135 


came, after the War, prominent in religious activities and 
a leader. His career shows fifty years as teacher and 
superintendent and deacon of Beulah Church. 


When that church was dismissed by letter to form part 
of a new association he became active in the Hermon 
Association. 


During the period of the readjustment of the debt of 
the State of Virginia, he was a member of the Legislature, 
a delegate from King William County. 


The name of Ryland has a fragrance among Virginia 
Baptists, especially in King and Queen and King Wil- 
ham counties. 


136 Livine Episties 


REV. M. F. SANFORD 


The subject of this sketch, 
Rev. Millard Fillmore San- 
ford, is the son of the late 
Col. William H. Sanford, a 
prominent citizen of West- 
moreland County, Va., and 
was born at Springfield near 
Montross, the county seat of 
Westmoreland, November 13, 
1852, and spent his boyhood 
in the home of his birth, at- 
tending the neighborhood 
schools. He was converted at 
Naomi Baptist Church, Rap- 
pahannock Association, and 
| baptized into its fellowship by 
Rev. George H. Northam in 1868. He was educated at 
Warsaw Academy and at Richmond College. 

On returning from college in 1875 he taught for several 
years in the public schools of his county, taking always 
an active part in the affairs of his mother church, occupy- 
ing at different times the positions of clerk, treasurer, and 
deacon. 

On October 5, 1875, he was married to Miss Eleanor 
Rebecca Nevitt, of Washington, D. C., by Rev. J. H. 
Waugh, at Alexandria, Va. 

At the call of Bethlehem Church, Essex County, he was 
ordained to the gospel ministry in September, 1879, and 


_ Tue Oxtp Guarp 137 


entered upon an unbroken pastorate of thirty-three years, 
serving different fields in Virginia, first in Essex and in 
his native county, then in Nottoway County at Burke- 
ville, Crewe, and Jonesboro, later Blackstone and Jones- 
boro. During his residence in Crewe he was called upon 
to conduct the funeral services of Rev. Dr. T. W. Sydnor 
of Blackstone, Va. 

In 1894 he accepted a call from Zion and Parksley 
churches on the Eastern Shore, Accomac County. After 
a pastorate of eight years he went, at the request of the 
State Mission Board, to take work in the Blue Ridge 
Association, locating at Stuart, where he was twice pastor. 
He resigned his second pastorate there in 1912, to become 
evangelist under the State Mission Board. He has preached 
and held meetings in every county in the State, besides 
holding occasional meetings in West Virginia and in 
Maryland. Concerning his work under this Board we 
quote from a letter written him at the close of his 
eleventh year of service by the Secretary of Missions, 
Rey. R. D. Garland. 

“In this age of unrest, jealousy, and distrust you have 
at all times and under all circumstances shown your 
loftiness of character. Your faith and courage amid hard- 
ships and sacrifices have been an unfailing inspiretion to 
me. I thank God for your achievements, for your un- 
stinted codperation, and for your true loyal friendship. 
May our Father’s choicest blessings be upon you and 
yours, and may the ‘tie that binds’ grow stronger and 
sweeter as the days go by.” 

He is now, at the age of seventy-two, doing efficient 
and satisfactory work under this Board of Missions. 


138 Livine Episties 


REV. CHARLES POINDEXTER SCOTT, D. D. 


John Bunyan impressively 
wrote: 


“He that is down needs fear 
no fall, 
He that is low, no pride; 
He that is humble ever shall 
Have God to be his guide.” 

And He that spake as 
never man spake has said, 
“He that humbleth himself 
shall be exalted.” 

Humility is a most com- 
mendable trait, but it should 
be differentiated from humil- 
iation. Humility is a modest 
recognition of one’s ability 
and worth, while humiliation inclines us to discredit our 
talents and to disparage our efforts, and to encourage | 
others to take us at our own valuation. 

Charles Poindexter Scott, in whose behalf these words 
are written, was born. December 29, 1848 in Orange 
County, Va., near Montpelier, the home of President 
Jas. Madison, one of the authors of the Constitution. 
As a youth, there was instilled in the character of young 
Scott a keen sense of honor and of fair play which often 
led him to take the part of any of his companions who 
were imposed upon by their superiors, and to vindicate 
their cause. 


Tur Oxp Guarp 139 


His baptism took place in November, 1869, by Dr. 
Charles Quarles, and his early education was obtained in 
the rudimentary schools near his home until, after mature 
deliberation, he yielded to the conviction that he ought 
to study for the gospel ministry, for which high and noble 
purpose he entered Richmond College where he showed 
himself a most diligent student, standing well in all of 
his classes (1871-1874). Later in life he took a course 
of study (1882-1883) at the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Throughout his en- 
tire career, brother Scott has been a close student and 
a thorough scholar. His intimate acquaintance with Dr. 
A. M. Poindexter, who was a relative by marriage into 
the Scott family, was of much benefit to him in his 
ministry. His equipment for his profession and his fine 
pulpit talents were recognized by a council composed of 
Rey. Samuel Harris, Dr. C. R. Dickenson, Dr. J. W. Mc- 
Cown, and Dr. Chas. Quarles, the ordination services be- 
ing held at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Orange, Va., 
on the third Sunday in May, 1873. 

In addition to various country churches, Dr. Scott has 
held pastorates at Ashland, Va.; Venable Street Church, 
Richmond; First Baptist Church, in Newberry, 8. C.; 
Warrenton, Va.; for the second time at Ashland, Va.; 
Barton Heights, Richmond, Va.; Pemberton, Ky.; and 
at this writing, is serving very acceptably the Baptist 
Church at Keller on the attractive Eastern Shore of 
Virginia. Over two thousand converts have been baptized 
by him. When the Constitutional Convention was held 
in Richmond, Va., some years ago for the purpose of 
revising the Constitution of the State, Dr. Scott was 
appointed the chaplain, and this body conferred upon 
him the title of D. D., which honor he has worthily 


140 Livina Epistries 


worn ever since. The one ambition, however, of this 
honored and beloved servant of the Lord is to be known 
by all of his friends as a “good minister of Jesus Christ.” 
It can be said without flattery that Dr. Scott has been 
noted as a sound and sane thinker, a clear expounder of 
the Word of God, a defender and advocate of every good 
cause, a preacher of more than ordinary ability, an excel- 
lent pastor, and an unchanging and abiding friend. On 
June 3, 1875, brother Scott was joined in marriage in 
the Baptist church at Louisa Court House, Va., by Rev. 
Dr. J. W. McCown and Rev. L. J. Haley, to Miss Mary 
Susan Turner of Caroline County, Va., a young lady of 
attractive personality and many excellent qualities of 
mind and heart, who has been his faithful and helpful 
ally in his entire ministry. The attendants on the oc- 
casion of his marriage were Mr. Jimmie Jones, of Louisa 
Court House, and Rev. A. W. Graves, his college chum 
and life-long friend. 

The offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been four 
children, one son and three daughters, viz: Chas. Poin- 
dexter, EKthel Letitia, Inez Hawthorne, and Ada Lewis. 
The daughters are all married and comfortably and hap- 
pily situated in life. The son, Chas. Poindexter, who 
was a most talented and gifted young man, died August 
11, 1895 in his twenty-first year, when within one session 
of full graduation as an M. D. 

The writer of this brief sketch esteems it an honor to 
bear witness to the superior gifts and excellent character- 
istics of his dear friend, and can say unhesitatingly that 
Dr. Scott stands high among the Baptist ministers of his 
native state, and wherever his lot has been cast. He was 
delegate to the Semi-Centennial in 1873 from Zion Baptist 
Church, Orange County, Va., and to the Centennial in 
1923, from the Hollies Baptist Church, Keller, Va. 


Tue Onp Guarp 14a 


REV. HUGH C. SMITH, D. D. 


This wise and useful minis- 
ter, son of James E. and 
Levicy Crowder Smith, was 
born in Petersburg, Va., 
February 16, 1854. He at- 
tended private schools and 
the High School until he was 
fourteen, when it became 
necessary for him to earn 
money, as his father died 
when he was nine years old. 
He worked three and a half 
years on the Indez-A ppeal 
newspaper. In 1866 he made 
a profession of faith in 
Christ and joined the High 
Street Methodist Church. In the fall of 1868 he became 
dissatisfied with his baptism and after reading the New 
Testament through the third time he was convinced that 
he had not received Christian baptism. He went at once 
to see Dr. William E. Hatcher, pastor of the First Baptist 
Church, and after a frank conversation with him he de- 
cided to join that church. He had never been in a Baptist 
church before the day he joined, January 3, 1869, and 
had never heard a Baptist minister preach. 


In 1871 he was called by God to preach the Gospel, and 
in the fall of that year, he entered Richmond College. He 


142 Livine EPIstTLEs 


was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the 
Philologian Literary Society. He won the essay medal 
in 1875. He was one of the ushers of the great Memorial 
Meeting, held in a tabernacle built on the campus of Rich- 
mond College, in connection with the Semi-Centennial of 
the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Also in 1875 
when Valentine’s recumbent statue of General Robert E. 
Lee was transferred from Richmond to the Washington 
and Lee University, at Lexington, it was accompanied by 
an honorary committee of escort selected from the student 
body of Richmond. Mr. Smith was one of the committee. 


His experience in the printing office in Petersburg, 
suggested to him the wisdom of printing a paper at the 
college. He tried to get the literary societies to publish it, 
but they would not do so and he then succeeded in per- 
suading twenty persons— nineteen students and. Prof. 
H. H. Harris, to take stock, and the first paper published 
at Richmond College came out with the suggestive name 
of Monthly Musings. During the third year there were 
few of the stockholders left and the assets of the paper 
were turned over to the literary societies. They gladly 
accepted the paper and changed its name to The Richmond 
College Messenger. 

Mr. Smith attended the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary two sessions, and on May 2, 1879, was ordained 
in the First Baptist Church, Petersburg. Dr. William E. 
Hatcher, Dr. T. T. Eaton, and Dr. Henry McDonald 
constituting the presbytery. He at once began work’ in 
his pastorate at Hicksford, (now Emporia) and later at 
High Hills, and Boykins. | 

In 1882, on May 30th, at Hebron Church, in South- 
hampton County, he was united in marriage to Miss 


Tur Oxnp Guarp 143 


Jennie Ivey, Dr. William E. Hatcher officiating. While 
he was living in Hicksford he published a weekly paper, 
The Quiver, which was the first paper ever published in 
Greensville County. During several years he was clerk 
of the Portsmouth Association and preached the sermon 
on the Centennial of that association in 1891. 


In 1891 at the meeting of the General Association he was 
elected secretary and holds that position now. 

In 1891 he was requested by the State Mission Board 
to take charge of the Martinsville field. There was hard 
work ahead, but he accepted. There were forty-five mem- 
bers in the Martinsville Church when he took charge. He 
remained ten years and left a strong, self-sustaining church. 
During his stay on this field he published The Blue Ridge 
Baptist, which disseminated Baptist news and New Testa- 
ment doctrines within the bounds of the Blue Ridge 
Association. 

His other pastorates were Jefferson Street Church, 
Roanoke; Liberty Church, at Appomattox Station; Em- 
poria (the second time); Christiansburg, Bedford City. 
During his second pastorate at Emporia, the Petersburg 
Association was constituted (September 1907), and he was 
elected secretary and held the office as long as he remained 
in the Association. 

In June, 1911, Richmond College (now the University 
of Richmond) conferred on Mr. Smith the degree of Doctor 
of Divinity. For thirty-two years Dr. Smith has been a 
member of the Board of Trustees and of Executive Com- 
mittee of the Baptist Orphanage at Salem, Va. He was 
chairman of the committee which was appointed by the 
General Association to consider the wisdom of organizing 
a hospital. The committee reported favorably and was 


144 Livine EPistTLEs 


continued and instructed to locate the hospital. There was 
hostility to the building of a hospital and later to the 
location, but all opposition was overcome and the great 
institution, beautifully located in Lynchburg, will be ready 
for business on June 1, 1924. 

After being in the active work of the ministry forty-five 
years and pastor of the Bedford City Church eight years, 
he had an attack of influensa (“the Flu”), which seriously 
impaired his health, and he resigned his pastorate. In the 
closing days of his pastorate he created a sentiment in 
favor of a new church building, had plans adopted, and 
raised several thousand dollars for the proposed building. 
In October, 1923, he delivered the address at the laying of 
the corner-stone, and on Sunday, June 1st, he will preach 
the dedicatory sermon. 

While resting and recuperating he and his wife are 
staying with Mr. and Mrs. Will H. Daniel, in Huntington, 
W. Va. Mrs. Daniel is their only child. He has four 
grandchildren: Hugh Smith Daniel, ten years old; Vir- 
ginia Van Dyke Daniel, four years old; John Wesley and 
William Moss Daniel, twins, seventeen months old. 


The Baptists of Virginia never had a more active, intel- 
ligent, progressive minister than Dr. Smith. His principal 
service has been in the pastorate, but he has more to show 
besides pastoral labors, in progressive spirit and work than 
any other minister of our times. While he was in Bedford 
his interest and efforts for the improvement of the Straw- 
berry Association were felt all over the Association, which 
is Bedford County, and as long as he could attend he was 
Moderator and chairman of the Executive Committee. All 
the Bedford Baptist people were glad to follow him. His 
wisdom and splendid poise gave not only him, but also to 


Tue Oxp Guarp 145 


the people confidence in his undertakings. Few, if any, 
pastors have been so loved by the members of the church 
and the community, wherever he has been pastor. His 
ability has been acknowledged by every community in 
which he has resided, and illustrated by his being chosen 
to represent the public in addresses on special public oc- . 
casions. His accuracy has made his work as secretary of 
the General Association above criticism, although the 
publication of the minutes has been annually that of pub-« 
lishing a book. He has been elected secretary for thirty-~ 
three sessions consecutively. The longest incumbency of 
office in the general Association previously was that of Dr. 
James B. Taylor, Sr., who was president of nineteen 
sessions. Now, when the presidency is an honor, it is held 
rarely more than two sessions, but the secretaryship is so 
truly work that our people know how to retain such a 
worker as Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith is Trustee of the Baptist 
Bible Institute. 


146 Livine EpistLes 


JUDGE GEORGE SWANN 


When Dr. J. M. Pilcher 
took charge of Fincastle 
Church, Botetourt County, he 
found in the church a young 
man of superior character and 
capacity by reason of educa- 
tion and piety. He was the 
principal of the High School 
and was considered a “born 
teacher” and was a_ great 
comfort to his pastor in his 
administration of the church. 
In that day there was great 
backwardness 43 the perform- 
ance of church duties, es- 
pecially in the giving of 
money to any department. His mind was open and his 
spirit liberal and progressive. This was true because he 
was born in the County of Powhatan, of a fine family and 
had been trained in a choice neighborhood. He came into 
life at Laurel Spring, June 12, 1851. 


He was baptized in Muddy Creek, by Dr. A. B. Woodfin, 
in 1862, while the state was in the throes of the Civil War 
and his folks had their privations, but he managed, in the 
trying time of political reconstruction to attend Richmond 
College, where he received the degree of M. A., and soon 
after was in the midst of a fine career as a teacher. His 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 147 


friends were disappointed when he studied law and became 
Judge of the county court of Botetourt. The faculty of 
teaching is rare, and his going into the law business was a 
loss. He, however, returned to his first love and after 
attending the University of Chicago, became a professor 
in Georgetown College, Ky., after serving as professor in 
Roanoke Female College, Danville, Va. He married in 
June, 1897, Miss Lily D. Rogers, Apex, N. C., and after 
her death was joined in marriage again, December 9, 1900, 
to Miss Linda Colley, Goochland County, Va. His only 
son is George Rogers Swann, who was born in Danville, 
Va., May 23, 1899. He represented Muddy Creek Church 
in both the Centenary Meetings of the General Associations. 


148 Living EpistLrs 


THOMAS L. SYDNOR, D. D. 8S. 


This writer answers his 
own questionnaires and then 
uses his editorial liberty to 
say some things. 

Son of Rev. T. W. Sydnor, 
D. D., and Blanche McClana- 
han Sydnor. Born April 12, 
1849—Baptized by his father 
in 1867 into the fellowship of 
Cool Spring Baptist Church 
(now Blackstone). Educated 
in the home school by private 
teacher, the log schoolhouse, 
Union Academy, Richmond 
College, and the Baltimore 
Dental College. On October 
14, 1902, married L. O. (Voss) Lindsey. 


I am not responsible for the happenings of April 12, 
1849, not even for the joy that came to my parents when 
I entered the home. A brother had preceeded me by just 
two years. Our stork seemed to like that date. I do not 
even remember my first 12th of April, nor even my second, 
but can recall most of the others. Probably the first decade 
of 12ths reaches my ear memory through the dinner bell or 
the supper chimes. It reaches my eye memory through the 
big turkey and the iced cakes, which we boys used to call 
“wedding cake.” These 12ths somietimes happened to fall 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 149 


on Farmer’s Club day, when the great lady always “put 
the big pot in the little one” and vied with all the other 
great ladies in entertaining the seers of the land. My! 
even now the aroma of that barbacued shoat seems to touch 
my olfactories, and excite the salivary glands to action. 
What could be bigger than two birthdays and a Club 
dinner all in one? Besides my brothers and sisters, my 
early companions were dogs, horses and little niggers. One 
day, every detail of which is as clear as yesterday in my 
memory, when my team of blacks were pulling me in my 
wagon, and enjoying the fun as much as I, the thought 
came to me with a shock: This is not right. I was then 
about six years old, I knew that slavery was wrong, and 
have been knowing it ever since. 


When at school in the log room, it was not the hard 
lesson nor the punishment which punished, but the un- 
bearable torture of the lady teacher’s patience. It makes 
me tired even now, when I remember how she sat and sat 
and waited for me to complete my task. When I went to 
the Union Academy, the two men teachers often sent out 
for long keen chinquapin rods, which not seldom lost 
some of their length at the small end. I have not yet 
forgiven myself for not flying in the face of the one who 
brought his rod down across my bare feet while I was 
looking—not at my book. Bringing “Mary’s lamb to 
school” was not the only thing that ever “made the children 
laugh and play.” One of the Union Academy teachers 
entered the army at the outbreak of the war, and was 
among the first to be sent home maimed. The loss of an 
arm unfitted him for military service but he still felt that 
he could wield the rod. A sixteen year old boy took issue 
with him. The thing that made the boys “laugh and play” 


150 Livine EPistLEs 


was the deft way which that single arm and fist played 
upon the short rib of the boy. Of course the boy was 
dismissed from the school, but he had the consolation of 
knowing that only one stroke of the rod reached his proud 
shoulder. There were sometimes disagreements between 
the boys. The teachers rarely interferred with their battles 
unless cruelty or base imposition was apparent. One little 
battle especially impressed me and is vivdly remembered 
to this day. ‘Two boys, one twelve and one thirteen dis- 
agreed, and hastily began to push and hug each other, 
continuing the exercise for about an hour, to the great 
amusement of the assembled crowd. Meantime the teachers 
sat quietly in their rooms (it was during the recess hour) ; 
the younger of these boys was just my age to the minute 
and looked for all the world just exactly like me when the 
gymnastics began, but at the expiration of the hour there 
had been such a change in apparel and physiognomy that 
he looked and even felt like another boy. Fact is, he had 
about lost his identity. The two boys, followed by the 
jolly crowd, went together to the well, drew water and 
poured upon each others hands, neither claiming superiority 
nor desiring to make further test, ever after loved as 
formerly. Who dare say those were not happy days? 
When Paul became:a man he put away childish things, 
I have followed his example in some particulars. 

The call to war soon made shipwreck of Union Academy’s 
prospects. My oldest brother, having completed his 
academic course and entered Columbia University, was 
among the early victims on the field of battle at Sharps- 
burg. Another brother led his company as captain at the 
age of seventeen. I had visited some of the bloody battle- 
fields just after the carnage, and was looking for my own 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 151 


call to the front. Happily for me, disastrously for the 
Confederates, but after all, doubtless, fortunate for our 
country and for the civilized world, the war came to an 
end. ‘The next two years experience will never be written, 
neither in biography nor in more formal history. How- 
ever, I have asked one of the members of “The Old Guard” 
group to recall some of his recollections of those days. Ere 
long none will be living who saw those days. 


Six years now elapse, three of which were spent on the 
home farm, one at school, one managing a farm in Washing- 
ton County, and one in Roanoke County before entering 
Richmond College. Prof. Bennett Puryear was at that time 
chairman of the faculty. Before going to Richmond, my 
father corresponded with Dr. Robert Ryland, who, we all 
know had laid the foundation for Richmond College in his 
Manual Labor Institute. He wrote my father that he 
would be glad to have his boy as a boarder in his family 
if he would agree to tend his cow, as part compensation. 
It did not work out just that way, but my father frequently 
referred to me as Dr. Ryland’s cow-boy. (There never 
has been one of the name who was too serious minded to 
cherish a joke). While at Richmond College the query 
often came up: “What are you going to make of your- 
self?” The invariable reply was “A smart man first, and 
then specialize.” This was a joke too, but with a serious 
side, for I was not yet prepared to make a choice. When 
every member of Dr. Curry’s English class “flunked” and 
almost broke the great man’s heart, I felt that my progress 
was slow. In the estimation of our good comrade, George 
J. Hobday, I had not only made progress but also heard 
my call. Hobday preached one Sunday in each month at 
Walnut Grove Church, eight miles from Richmond, and 


152 Livine EPIsTLES 


usually rode Dr. J. L. Burrow’s old gray horse to this 
appointment. On this particular day Hobday was unwell 
and knowing that I had relatives who were members of 
this church, asked me to-go out and tell the congregation 
that he could not be present. I mounted the gray mare, 
which was so well known in the city (not so cosmopolitan 
as now) that I heard remarked as I rode down Main Street, 
“they surely will ride Dr. Burrow’s old horse to death.” 
When nearing the toll gate on the Mechanicsville Pike, 
Mr. Keesee, the toll-keeper, came to the door, and rec- 
ognizing the gray, turned back with the remark: “That’s 
all right, don’t charge preachers.” I paid the toll, how- 
ever, and explained that only the horse was preacher, not 
I. On reaching the church the old gray was still supposed 
to be carrying the cleric. In those days, the men occupied 
one side of the church and the women the other. My 
entrance on the ladies’ side, was indisputable evidence that 
this was the young preacher. On my return Hobday asked 
me about the congregation, and was told that there was a 
large expectant assembly, but since he had not asked me 
to preach, I did not presume to do so. Hobday was silent 
and forgave himself, only when several months later he 
learned that I was pot a ministerial. 


Next, the Old Baltimore College graduated me, with 
some degree of honor, and sent me out to do life’s work. 
Salem opened its doors to me, and Salem Baptist Church, 
under that truly good man W. J. Shipman, put the harness 
upon me as S. S. Superintendent and deacon. My con- 
nection with that church and my association with Hollins 
Institute (the most refined and refining spot on earth) 
with Prof, Charles L. Cocke, Rev. J. R. Harrison, Prof. 


Tur Orv Guarp 153 


Turner, Prof. Pleasants, Major J. M. Johnson, Dr. C. F. 
James and other members of the Valley Association made 
me, at least, unashamed. 

In 1879 circumstances seemed to call me to Danville. 
Among the tokens and expressions of friendship and 
appreciation which have come to me, none are more highly 
prized than a beautiful loving cup presented by the Dan- 
ville Dental Society while serving as president of the 
Piedmont Dental Society. If I have done any good work 
here, it may be cited as superintendent of afternoon mission 
Sunday schools and aiding in mission stations, all of which 
have become self supporting churches, children of the old 
First Church. For many years as a sort of recreation I have 
been conducting a night free school for boys, girls, men 
and women, whose circumstances prohibited them from 
acquiring an education at the regular day schools. Proba- 
bly 1,500 persons have passed under my teachings. To-day, 
with many faults, many weaknesses, I am trying to take 
advantage of my opportunities, seeking to know God’s 
will and glad to be living. May the Lord bless every 
member of “The Old Guard” and the memory of them 
bring blessings to those who come after. Amen. 


154 Living EpistLes 


REV. SAM FRANK TAYLOR, D. D. 


There are characters which 
seem to have defied all en- 
vironment or early teaching, 
and stepped forth into a field 
foreign to any law of descent 
or heredity. There are on 
the other hand those who 
cling to their ancestral birth- 
marks and we recognize the 
impress and say, it could not 
be otherwise. Some observant 
person coming in contact 
with four brothers—splendid 
young men—remarked “‘these 
young men must have had a 
good mother.” Sam Frank 
Taylor had a good mother, also a good father, Rev. D. G. 
Taylor who may be termed the progenitor of the Blue 
Ridge Association, His oldest brother Rev. J. Lee Taylor 
was his exemplar. His younger brother Rev. J. J. Taylor, 
D. D., was his companion. Our half century comrade is 
just what all this, together with a liberal education would 
make. Some men are good without being loveable. Some 
men are useful without being attractive. Sam Frank is 
good. His life has been filled with useful deeds. This 
writer’s love for, and knowledge of him makes it difficult to 
restrain his pen from more words than our prescribed limit 


THe Oxup Guarp 155 


will admit. Our records show that his ministerial life has 
been mainly outside of his native state. We follow him 
with pride and greet his love letters with joy. 


Sam Frank Taylor, third son of Rev. D. G. and Martha 
King Taylor was born in Henry County, Va., May 30, 1851. 
Baptized by Rev. T. N. Sanderson in North Mayo River, 
August, 1869. Ordained Sunday, September 27, 1874, at 
Mayo Baptist Church, Henry County, Va., by a presbytery 
composed of Rev. R. D. Haymore, D. G. Taylor, Rev. J. F. 
Lancaster, and J. L. Taylor. On June 15, 1875, he married 
Miss Ellen B. Burdette, daughter of Hon. John S. Burdette, 
Charleston, W. Va., where he also held his first regular 
pastorate for one year and nine months. His next pastorate 
was at Paris, Ky., four years and two months. Then at 
Columbus, Miss., two years and nine months. Moving then 
to Columbia, Mo., where he spent five years. Afterwards 
served churches in Liberty, Centralia, LaFayette Park, 
St. Louis, Mo., six years and four months. He was the 
first pastor of Calvary Church, Jopling, Mo., where he 
remained eighteen months and built a beautiful house of 
worship. He was in Montgomery City, Mo., two years and 
three months. His physician sent him then to Eldorado 
Springs where he was restored to health and a happy man. 
He is now preaching at Little Bonne Femme, Mo., besides 
supplying several other points. 

He was the first Corresponding Secretary of the Home 
Department of Missouri Board of Home and Foreign 
Missions, 1880. He served Stephen’s College, Columbia, 
for ten years as president, from 1894 to 1904. Has baptized 
nearly 400 persons. After leaving his home school he went 
‘to Richmond College where he received his English 
Diploma, and afterward went to Crozer and to Southern 


156 Livine EPpisTLEs 


Baptist Theological Seminary. From these institutions he 
entered one of the best of all schools for finishing touches ; 
namely the school of Hard Knocks. In this school the 
Lord has been his tutor and has dealt kindly with him. 
He will receive his diploma Up Yonder some of these times, 
but not yet. His efficiency as a platform speaker brings him 
many calls for special occasions. When permitted to choose 
his own topic his inclination leads him to Bible themes, 
rather than so called popular subjects—notably, when a 
large assembly was called in the auditorium at Perth 
Springs, Mo., for discussion of Education and entertaining 
matters, his subject was “The Word of God Which Stands 
Forever.” 

In 1873 he was a delegate from the churches which he 
was supplying while a student at Richmond College, these 
churches being Salem in Chesterfield County, and Sappony 
in Sussex County. 

Our friend “took to preaching” as he expresses it, at 
nineteen years of age. The thought was born in and with 
him and he could not do otherwise. He loves to preach and 
has a lingering regret to-day that he was persuaded to give 
ten of his most vigorous years to the presidency of Stephen’s 
College. This is his version, but the boys who grew to be 
men under his teaching are to-day feeling his touch and 
bless him for his labors with and for them. 

Be content, my dear fellow, the Lord has guided your 
ways and put buffers on the hammers that delivered the 
knocks. We will all meet again some fine day. 


Tur Outp Guarp 157 


REV. WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIAN THOMAS 


The subject of this sketch 
was born in Richmond, Va., 
and in his youth served at the 
printer’s trade, and some 
time in 1870, on profession 
of his faith in Christ, was 
received into the membership 
of the First Baptist Church 
of Richmond, after baptism 
by the pastor, Rev. J. L. Bur- 
rows, D. D. 

Having a conviction that 
he ought to study for the 
ministry, he was encouraged 
and aided in his laudable 
ambition by Dr. Burrows and 
other influential members of that church, who felt pro- 
foundly interested in his future career. 


Like so many of the members of “The Old Guard,” he 
availed himself of the educational advantages of Richmond 
College, and after a four-year’s course he attended the 
Crozer Theological Seminary at Upland, Pa., finishing the 
English curriculum in two years. Being called to the 
pastorate of the Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, 
Va., his ordination took place there some time in the year 
_ 1879 by a presbytery consisting of Rev. W. 8S. Penick, D. D., 
Dr. I. B. Lake, Dr. H. M. Wharton, and Rev. L. R. Steele, 


158 fiver EPIstLES 


following which he immediately entered upon the pastorate 
of the church where his earnest efforts resulted in en- 
livening and invigorating the membership and adding to 
its numbers.. Several years later he was recalled to the 
pastorate of this church and completed the construction of 
a handsome church building which had been inaugurated 
by his predecessor. 

Subsequently, brother Thomas was pastor of Lee Street 
Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md., Rockville and Upper 
Seneca and Forest Glen in Md., Georgetown, D. C., 
Waynesboro, Va., Leetown, W. Va., and Cradock, Va. 
As a result in part of labors and endeavors on his various 
fields, three churches were organized and three houses of 
worship were erected. 

In 1873 he was a delegate from the First Baptist Church 
of Richmond, Va., to the Semi-Centennial of the Virginia 
Baptist General Association in that city, and at the Cen- 
tennial gathering of the hosts in 1923, he represented, 
with other delegates, the Columbia Baptist Church at Falls 
Church, Va. Brother Thomas is now pastor of Cradock 
Church in Portsmouth, Va. 


Tue Oxp Guarp 159 


REV. LUTHER R. THORNHILL, D. D. 


“Honor and fame from no condition rise: 
Act well each one his part, there all the honor lies.” 


It is far greater to achieve 
greatness than to have great- 
ness and distinction thrust 
upon us. The birth of Luther 
Rice Thornhill, the subject 
of this sketch, at his mother’s 
parental home in Bedford 
County, Va., on the 3d day 
of September, 1851, there 
was little to indicate the 
attainments and _ achieve- 
ments of the future minister 
of the Gospel. Growing up 
as other boys in the country, 
he obtained his early educa- 
tion at the neighborhood 
schools, and at the early age of thirteen years made public 
profession of faith in Christ and‘was baptized on the third 
Sunday in September, 1864, into the fellowship of the 
Liberty Chapel Baptist Church by the beloved pastor the 
Rev. T. N. Johnson. In 1869 Liberty Chapel Church, 
influenced by the devoted life of the youth, voluntarily 
tendered him license to preach the Gospel, and that fall he 
entered Richmond College as a ministerial student. He 
continued at the College until failing health forced him to 


160 Livine EPIstLEs 


withdraw, but did not destroy his conviction that he ought 
to give himself to the work of the ministry. The James 
River Association was to hold its annual meeting with the 
Liberty Chapel Church in July, 1874, and the church, 
‘thinking it would be a good time when ministers would be 
present to take part, called for the ordination of brother 
Thornhill. A presbytery composed of Drs. J. A. Mundy 
and Wm. J. Shipman, and Rev. J. C. Perkins, Rev. J. R. 
Harrison, and the pastor of Liberty Chapel, Rev. T. N. 
Johnson, conducted the examination of the candidate, and 
being satisfied with the answers given proceeded with the 
service. The Association suspended its work and the great 
concourse of people assembled at the arbor to witness the 
service. Dr. W. J. Shipman preached the sermon, taking 
his text from Ps. 126: 6. “Bearing precious seed.” 


That fall the young minister began his pastoral ex- 
periences by accepting a call to the New Hope Baptist 
Church in Appomattox County, just eight miles from his 
boyhood home. The next year, 1875, he accepted a call for 
one Sunday per month to the Mt. Vernon Church in 
Campbell County. Toward the end of that year a call 
was extended by the Liberty Church which he accepted, 
withdrawing from Mt. Vernon. Liberty was a church of 
the largest membership in the county and its pastorate 
laid grave responsibilities upon the man who served them. 
Dr. Thornhill tells with deep emotion of personal experi- 
ence in the early part of that pastorate. He says that one 
Saturday when the people had assembled for preaching and 
the church meeting, deacon A. A. LeGrande, a dignified and 
highly respected elderly gentleman came to him and asked 
that he might have a private word with him. When they 
had gone a few paces to one side the old gentleman put 


THe Oxnp Guarp 161 


his arm around his shoulders and in the kindliest manner 
spoke to him words like these: ‘When we called you here 
we realized it was asking a young man to assume grave 
responsibilities, but we have found out that we made no 
mistake, and we are pleased with your work. We want you 
to go ahead and feel assured that we will stand back of 
you and give you our support.” Who can estimate the 
value of a word like that spoken in season? The inter- 
vening years have but confirmed the estimate placed upon 
him by his early charge. 

Brother Thornhill was pastor also of Matthews Church 
in Appomattox for a term of six years, preaching twice 
per month; and was pastor of Sharon Church in Bucking- 
ham County for six years, one Sunday per month. This 
church was thirty miles from his home and had to be 
reached by private conveyance. During this pastorate it 
was his privilege to baptize the lamented and gifted Bolling 
Wintrey, brother of Dr. E. W. Winfrey. For one year 
brother Thornhill served as pastor the people of Chestnut 
Grove Church in Buckingham County. 


In 1881 a call came from the Hebron Church in 
Appomattox asking for preaching two Sundays in the 
month. Liberty Church had called for two Sundays. <Ac- 
cepting the call to Hebron, which was nine miles from 
Liberty, gave a much more compact field. After seventeen 
years of the once per month preaching the young pastor 
now had an opportunity for much more efficient service. 
But the great Shepherd of the fold seems to have had 
larger plans unfolding for one who has been faithful in 
the smaller things. Not quite three years had been spent 
in this more compact field when there came a call to the 
Bainbridge Street Church of Manchester. Brother Thorn- 


162 Livine EPistLEs 


hill began his work in Manchester, November 1, 1884, and 
withdrew from that field in August 1899, lacking a few 
months of fifteen years. | 

The work in Manchester was very difficult and laborious, 
but the membership of the church was more than doubled 
in numbers, and the contributions to various causes were 
largely increased. Two new churches were organized, the 
Stockton Street, and the Oak Grove churches went out 
from the Bainbridge Street Church under brother Thorn- 
hill’s ministry. A spacious brick building for the pastor’s 
home was builded and paid for. Withdrawing from Man- 
chester in 1899, Dr. Thornhill accepted a call to a field in 
northern Virginia, three churches forming the field as fol- 
lows: Jeffersonton Church in Culpeper County, calling for 
two Sundays, the parsonage being located here; Amissville 
Church in Rappahannock County, for one Sunday; and 
Orlean Church in Fauquier County, one Sunday. 


When he accepted work in this new field so badly was 
he run down by the strenuous work in Manchester that it 
was predicted that he would not hold up in the new field 
more than six months. But the horseback exercise in the 
open mountain air seemed to be the very tonic which he 
needed and he improved rapidly, remaining five and one- 
half years on the field, withdrawing at last against the 
vigorous protest of the congregations. He removed from 
Culpeper to Covington, Va., where he remained one year. 
His next charge was the Dan River Church in Halifax 
County where a few more months will fill out sixteen 
years of service. ‘This church has moved steadily forward 
in all lines of its work, and in many ways has evidenced its 
devotion to its pastor. Along with the work at Dan River, 
brother Thornhill has been pastor for eight years at Piney 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 163 


Grove, and two years at Riceville. These two churches 
are in Pittsylvania County. The congregation at Piney 
Grove outgrew the accommodations of their house of wor- 
ship and in 1913 Dr. Thornhill prevailed upon the people 
to build a new house. There is a spacious, attractive, com- 
fortable building, a monument to the generosity of the 
people. 

This busy pastor has found time to help somewhat in 
the training of the young people by teaching, holding the 
position of principal of the High School at Brookneal one 
term, and a similar position in the.Dan River High School’ 
two terms, one term at Riceville, and one term at the 
Catawba High School. He says he loves the work of 
teaching, but it became so strenuous that he felt con- 
strained to withdraw from the school room. 


On April 15, 1875, brother Thornhill was joined in 
marriage to Miss Madeleine P. Christian of Appomattox, 
Va., by his pastor Rev. T. N. Johnson. Of this union five 
children were born and reared to maturity, viz: Aubrey 
Jeter, Lucy Abigail, William Albert, Madeleine, and Annie 
Collier. With the exception of Miss Lucy Abigail, and 
Miss Annie Collier, who are single, and Mrs. Madeleine 
Long, who is a widow, the other children are married and 
happily located in their several homes. Miss Lucy is 
teaching in Charleston, W. Va., and Miss Annie in Wash- 
ington, D. C. Brother Thornhill having lost his wife by 
death was married a second time to Miss Bettie Moody 
of Richmond, Va., on the 25th day of July, 1900. One 
child, Zerelda Catherine, was born of this union but died 
in infancy. . 

In July, 1888, Dr. Thornhill in company with Dr. 
William E. Hatcher and others, set sail for Glasgow. 


164 Livine EPpistLes 


He and Dr. Hatcher, journeying together, visited London, 
‘Paris, Geneva, Turin, Rome, Venice, Milan, Cologne, 
Brussels, Antwerp, and other cities, returning to America 
in the month of October. 


During his pastorate in Manchester, the Corporation of 
Richmond College at their regular meeting, June 19, 1895, 
conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity on brother 
Thornhill. During that pastorate he was member of the 
Foreign Mission Board for ten years; and also member 
of the Education Board, and member of the Committee on 
Codperation, of which for five years he was chairman. He 
was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary 
and took part in the called meeting at Atlanta when Dr. 
Mullins was chosen as president of our Seminary. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 165 


CHASTAIN VALENTINE WAUGH, M.A., Pxu.D., D.D. 


Chastain Valentine Waugh, 
MAb hol) DP arsonsor 
Andrew Bagley and Sarah 
Frances Waugh, was born 
and reared in Manchester, 
Va. In his early childhood 
he was very frail, but in his 
classes in school he was al- 
ways prominent and among 
his companions a leader, so 
much so that his companions 
called him “Preacher.” On 
public occasions he was gen- 
erally put forth as the little 
orator. During the Civil 
War he was the mascot, and 
drummer boy of the Manchester Home Guards. 


After the War was over in 1865, Dr. W. E. Hatcher 
was holding a protracted meeting with his church, Bain- 
bridge Street. Hearing of the interest and of the con- 
version of some of his companions he decided to go to the 
meeting. He didso. A personal appeal from Dr. Hatcher 
reached his soul and thereupon the boy decided for Christ 
and Heaven. At once he became active in the prayer 
meetings and in Sunday school. For some time, “What 
church to join,” troubled him. After studying the New 
Testament, he made his choice and in February, 1866, in 


166 Livine EpistLes 


his eighteenth year, Dr. Hatcher baptized him. Just 
before baptizing him, the pastor said, “Brethren, pray 
for this young man, for I feel that this is one of Heaven’s 
chosen messengers, to preach the gospel.” He was the 
first preacher sent out by that church. That year Dr. 
Hatcher left for Baltimore and just before his departure, 
calling Chastain to him he said, “My son, I leave my 
boys under your care, for I notice whenever you lead 
they follow.” 'That made a deep impression on the young 
man. 

He was put in charge of a class of girls in the Sunday 
school, all of whom were led to Christ that year. 

He was almost broken-hearted because of the departure 
of Dr. Hatcher. At his suggestion a boys’ prayer meeting 
was organized and they used this to encourage and help 
each other. Out of that prayer meeting developed one of 
the greatest revivals in the history of that church. For 
about a year after the pastor left for Baltimore, the 
deacons and the young man kept up the regular meetings 
of the church. 

In 1868 he was licensed by the church to preach in 
public. The fall of that year he went to Richmond Col- 
lege where he studied for four years. His first charge 
was the pastorate of the Hillsboro Baptist Church and the 
principalship of the Blue Ridge University School, found- 
ed by Prof. Harrison. 


He followed Prof. Yancey. After staying several years, 
he resigned and went to Greenville, S. C., and took a 
special course in the 8. B. T. 8. He knew what he 
needed and remained until he got it. His old friend and 
benefactor, Deacon Henry C. Burnett, of Richmond, who 
had helped him through college, still stood by him. He 


Ture Oxp Guarp 167 


links the names of Hatcher and Burnett with his in his 
younger son, Burnett Hatcher Waugh, now a very useful 
minister. 

Upon leaving the Seminary, his first charge was Modest 
Town, Va. His work there resulted in new life to the 
church and the organization of a new one. Hard work 
and exposure resulted in sickness, which made him an 
invalid. His physician, Dr. Francis West, told him that 
if he would go south for the winter he might pull through. 
Just then a call came from Gainesville, Fla. He accepted 
the invitation and went. The change greatly helped him. 
In the fall of 1877, he was made professor of Latin in 
Kast Florida Seminary, then the State College, and in 
1881 he became pastor of Suffolk Church, Va., where he 
remained a little over a year; but the climate did not suit 
him. He grew sick again, and had to go back to Gaines- 
ville where his church was waiting for him. 


In November, 1878, he went up to Covington, Ky., to 
get his promised wife, Miss Fannie Howard McGill, of 
Petersburg, who was visiting her sister, Mrs. Dr. Thomas 
N. Wise. She is the daughter of Hon. John Douglas 
McGill, Middlesex County, Va. Of this union four chil- 
dren were born: Mary Douglas, who died in infancy; 
Harvey Dawkins, a distinguished chemist of Atlanta, Ga.; 
Burnett Hatcher, useful pastor in South Carolina; and 
Catherine McGill, who is with her parents. Upon his 
return from Suffolk to Florida, he was given a professor- 
ship in East Florida Seminary, where he served for some 
years. In 1883, in the Baptist Convention then in session 
in Lake City, he made a speech on Education and our 
needs as a denomination. The Convention became en- 
thusiastic ; raised some thousands of dollars in money and 


168 Livine EpistiL4es 


land; and a committee was appointed of which he was 
chairman. ‘Their investigation resulted in what is now 
Stetson University at De Land. In 1888 he was made 
president of Griffin Female College, Ga., where he re- 
mained for a little over a year, and became vice-president 
of Gordon Institute at Barnesville, Ga. He remained 
only one year, as his heart was in Florida. Upon his 
return to Florida he organized a high school at Melrose, 
and served as pastor of the church at Brooksville, and 
while there he was made professor of Languages in the 
Florida Agricultural College in Lake City. During his 
first year he taught Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, and 
German; the rest of his time he was professor of Latin 
and Philosophy. Here was done the great work of his 
life. He was honored by the institution with his degree. 
He was a favorite among the boys; he was their coun- 
sellor and friend. They loved him. His pride was to 
prepare the boys for all important occasions. Some of 
our distinguished men in many walks of life came from 
his work there. He remained with the institution and 
helped develop it into the University, and removed to 
Gainesville. 

When he retired from the College, the State Superin- 
tendent of Education, his friend, caused him to be sent 
out to organize high schools. The last is the one at West 
Palm Beach. He also developed the Baptist Church there. 


In 1905, feeling weary and needing rest and change, he 
went to Virginia to visit friends and relatives. The West 
Point Church laid hands on him and held him for four 
years. God blessed the union and gave him the hearts of 
the people. A strong appeal came from Mayslick, Ky., 
and under the protests of his people he went, but the 


Tur Orp Guarp 169 


climate was too hard on him so he had to leave. After 
remaining a little over a year, stopping for a couple of 
years at Guyton, Ga., to rest up, he did a good work there. 
In 1912, coming to Jacksonville, he served several small 
churches near the city. In 1913 the Y. M. C. A. of 
Jacksonville employed him to teach Spanish and’ to help 
in the day school. He-started a coaching school for young 
men who were anxious to be fitted for college, yet could 
not go to day school. In this respect he has done a great 
work here, for men are now holding prominent places 
with college training who owe it to him. Every year he 
sends off numbers to many colleges. His certificates are 
honored by many institutions. The young people are 
drawn to him and love him and call him by their pet 
name, “Doc.” He has been a teacher all his life. Dr. 
Basil Manly in writing about him says, “God calls some 
men to be preaching teachers but He has called him to 
be a teaching preacher. You have done wonders for my 
boy.” Men that Dr. Waugh has taught fill seats in 
Congress; governors’ chairs; professors’ seats in colleges 
and universities, and preside over colleges. Maj. Empie 
Potts (U. S. A.), graduate West Point, now in command 
of a fort in Manilla, P. I., says, “I owe much of what 1 
am to his training, and the same testimony com’s to me 
almost everywhere I go, for I met those he taught in 
Paris, on the field of Flanders, and in many states, and 
the same strong admiration for him is with all. I am 
proud to say he fitted me for West Point and made my 
success possible. There, and at Annapolis, I have met 
his students and all say the same.” One in writing of 
him. says, Dr. Waugh, like his godfather, Wm. E. 
Hatcher, loves boys and young men, and wields a great 


170 Livine EpistiLEs 


influence over them for good.” Of ‘him Dr. J: L. M. 
Curry said, “We have a genuine poet in the class and will 
hear from him later.” The Florida Legislature made him 
laureate in adopting his song, Florida, My Florida, as the 
State song. Richmond on the Jeems is well known in 
the land of his birth. Many years ago he sent out with- 
out his name Mea Patria te. He has many poems in 
different languages of his own composition. 

Though advanced in years, he is still bright and active; 
cheerful, kind and helpful. As a preacher he is strong, 
graphic, and vigorous. As a pastor is full of affection and 
sympathy. The children all love him. 


Tue Oxtp Guarp Egil 


JOHN D. WHITESCARVER 


John D. Whitescarver was 
born at Mechanicsburg, 
Bland County, Va., on De- 
cember 19, 1851. A wise 
priest has said that if he 
could control the first seven 
years of the child’s life, the 
principles then inculcated 
would control his entire ex- 
istence. John D. Whites- 
carvers teaching and ex- 
ample brought him into the 
Kingdom of Christ at an 
early age. A child of nine 
years, he was baptized by his 
father, Rev. C. F. Whites- 
carver in 1860. He at once enlisted in church work, 
first as Sunday school pupil, then teacher, and then was 
called to the responsibility of deacon. He was educated at 
the home schools and at Richmond College. He represented 
the Mt. Pleasant Church in the Valley Association at the 
Semi-Centennial in 1873, and is now a member of the 
church at Graham in New Lebanon Association. While 
he, like many others of our number, is not quite so strong 
physically as formerly, yet his sympathy touches and helps 
those who are coming on to take up the banner now being 
borne by “The Old Guard.” 


Ang he Livine EpistLes 


REV. J. W. WILDMAN 


Some one has said, “Good 
habits are not made on birth- 
days, nor good character 
formed on anniversary 0c- 
casions. ‘The work-shop of 
character is everyday life. 
The uneventful and common- 
place hour is where the bat- 
tle is won or lost.” Yet 
birthdays are the milestones 
on life’s pilgrimage which 
furnish occasion for retro- 
spection, introspection, and 
'  prospection. 
ft On the sixteenth of Octo- 

ber, 1851, J. W. Wildman 
was born in Campbell County near Lynchburg, Va. His 
youth, which was characterized by unusual sprightliness 
and energy, gave promise of future attainments and dis- 
tinction. Growing up to maturity, he was converted and 
baptized in his eighteenth year into the fellowship of the 
Lynchburg Baptist Church on September 30, 1869, by 
Rev. C. C. Bitting, D. D., the pastor. The baptism took 
place in a running stream near the home of Mr. Samuel 
Miller, the founder of the Miller School in Albemarle 
County, Va. Being impressed with the feeling that he 
ought to enter the ministry, after mature and prayerful 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 173 


deliberation, a decision was reached, and he attended Rich- 
mond College with this purpose in view from 1870 to 1874. 
Here he distinguished himself by his aptness, mental 
ability, and devotion to study, winning many honors in his 
classes, and in the Mu Sigma Rho Literary Society of which 
he was a prominent and active member. 


The esteem in which he was held by both faculty and 
students is evidenced by his selection as chief of the 
ushers on the floor of the pavilion which seated the 
ereat assembly at the Semi-Centennial. As chief, it fell 
to his lot to pay special attention to the platform. None 
who were present at that great meeting have forgotten 
the ringing and powerful address by Dr. J. L. M. Curry. 
This oration had drawn upon the speaker to the utmost of 
his faculties of mind, spirit, and body. ‘To the very last 
utterance he was clear, forceful, and profound. While 
the audience cheered and applauded again and again, Dr. 
Curry was being escorted to Wildman’s room for rest and 
restoration. Wildman loves to recall that experience of 
close contact with that truly great man, his beloved 
professor. 


Feeling the need of theological training, brother Wild- 
man attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
at Greenville, S. C., for two years. Later, his gifts and 
equipment for his chosen profession were recognized by 
a presbytery composed of Rev. W. A. Montgomery, D. D., 
Rev. B. G. Maynard, D. D., Rev. S. R. White, D. D., 
Rey. J. A. Davis, D. D., and his pastor, Rev. C. C. 
Bitting, D. D., the ordination services being held in 
August, 1876, at the Beulah Baptist Church in Campbell 
County, Va, 


174 Livine. Episties 


Brother Wildman has, perhaps, more than fulfilled the 
hopes and expectations of the ordaining council in his 
varied career, and in the number of prominent churches 
of which he has been the successful pastor. He has 
served Fincastle, Botetourt County, Roanoke, Va., Louis- 
burg, Greenville, Wadesboro, and Chapel Hill, all in North 
Carolina; South Boston and Herndon, Pisgah and Black 
Walnut and Hillsboro, in Virginia, and Sanford, Fla. 
During his numerous and busy pastorates he has found 
time to engage in evangelistic, mission, and temperance 
work. 


On the twenty-ninth of May, 1878, brother Wildman 
was married to Miss Mary Alice Davis, the accomplished 
daughter of Rev. Jas. A. Davis, of Bedford County, in the 
Baptist Church in Bedford City, the ceremony being 
performed by the Rev. Cornelius Tyree, D..D. To brother 
and sister Wildman were born three children; the eldest, 
named Irene, died when six years old, two sons, Walter 
Davis, now connected with the Carter Corporation of 
Petersburg, Va., and James Rowland, now teacher of 
English in the Fork Union Academy in Virginia. 


When living at Sanford, Fla., brother Wildman invented 
the Wildman Folding Partition which was later patented. 
The use of this invention in many one-room church houses 
has proved an effective separation at moderate cost between 
the various grades and classes in the Sunday schools 
throughout the country. 


In 1873, brother Wildman was delegate from the Lynch- 
burg Baptist Church to the Semi-Centennial of the Baptist 
General Association in Richmond, Va., and acted as chief 
usher to seat the crowds who attended that gathering of 


Tur Oxp Guarp 175 


the hosts. In 1923, he represented the Black Walnut 
Church in the Dan River Association at the Centennial 
in Richmond. 


As a “good minister of Jesus Christ,” in the proclama- 
tion of the “glorious gospel of the blessed God,” and one 
who “endured hardness as a good soldier,” the subject of 
this brief sketch has won the esteem and the love of all 
who know him. He now resides at Cluster Springs, Va., 
together with his devoted and faithful wife, and is still 
engaged in consecrated service with much of the vivacity 
and buoyancy of his younger days. 


176 Livine EPISTLES 


R. C. WILLIAMS 


“A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his 
steps.” “Man proposes, but God disposes.” 


These words were notably 
verified in the career of the 
subject of this sketch. Born 
in Lunenburg County, Va., 
July 21, 1851, the great-. 
grandson of Rev. John Wil- 
liams, whose brief biography 
appears in Semple’s History 
of Baptist Ministers ; he loved 
the Sunday school in his boy- 
hood, and was an adept in 
memorizing Scripture, hay- 
ing achieved at one time the 
remarkable and almost in- 
creditable feat of committing 
to memory and _ repeating 
without a break, thirty-five whole chapters, about two 
thousand verses. For this unusual and apparently im- 
possible performance, he was rewarded by the superin- 
tendent with a year’s subscription to the Religious Herald, 
which journal he has been fond of reading ever since. 
In 1869, in his eighteenth year, he was baptized by Rev. 
K. 8. Taylor, and united with the Mt. Zion Baptist 
Church in Lunenburg County. 

For quite a while, brother Williams was deeply im- 
pressed with the conviction that he ought to be a preacher. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp Lit 


And it seems a pity that one so familiar with the Word 
of God could not carry out his profound conviction. His 
health failed, however, after attending Richmond Col- 
lege for a year (1873-1874), and to his lasting regret he 
was unable to complete his course of study. Being thus 
baffled in his plans and purposes, he became a successful 
school teacher and merchant. His light was not con- 
cealed under a bushel, nor his talents hidden in the 
earth, however, but have been utilized in Sunday school 
activities, in which he delighted, and in leading the prayer 
meeting, in conducting funeral services, and occasionally, 
in the absence of the pastor, addressing the congregation 
from the pulpit. Verily a most useful life as a layman 
and an inspiration and example to others. Brother Wil- 
liams has never married, and leads a quiet and useful 
life in his home in Ontario, highly respected by all who 
know him, awaiting the summons of his Saviour to “come 
up higher” and enter fully upon his reward in “the rest. 
that remaineth” for one devoted and consecrated to his 
Lord, and to the moral and spiritual uplift of his fellow- 
men. He was a delegate from the Mt. Zion Baptist 
Church in Lunenburg County to the Semi-Centennial 
Meeting of the Baptist General Association in Richmond 
in 1873, and also to the Centennial gathering in the same 
city in 1923, but was unable to attend the latter owing to 
feeble health. 


178 Livine Epist&s 


S. E. WOODY, M. D. 


Precocity may be a bad 
sign, but diligent application 
and perseverence invariably 
insure success in any calling. 

Since the day of Luke, the 
good physician, the true 
medical practitioner has been 
held in high esteem, and his 
services much in demand. 

The subject of this sketch, 
Dr. 8. E. Woody, has proved 
the truth of this latter state- 
ment. Born February 15, 
1854 near Harmony in Hali- 
fax County, Va., he spent 
twelve and a half years of his 
boyhood on a farm, attending neighborhood schools, and 
later, three years in Locust Dale Academy near News. 
Ferry, Va., and then one year in Cluster Springs High 
School, and two years in Richmond College, Richmond, Va. 

He served one year as president of Danville Institute, 
Texas, and three years as student and interne in the 
Medical Department of the University of Louisville, and 
was for a time trustee of the same institution. For 
thirty-one years he was professor, and for several years 
dean of the same school. For eight years he was director 
in the Y. M. C. A.; surgeon to various corporations and 
railways; chief surgeon of the Southern Railway Co.; 
and vice-president of the Association of American Medical 


Tae Oxtp Guarp 179 


Colleges. As a fitting preparation for these high honors, 
he was a graduate of Richmond College in 1873; Hon. 
A. M. of Baylor University in Texas in 1884; L. L. D. of 
Richmond College in 1902; an M. D. of University of 
Louisville in 1879, besides being post-graduate in various 
American and European institutions. Altogether a most 
exceptional and remarkable record. In addition to all of 
these honors, he has kept up a most extensive and suc- 
cessful medical practice. 

Young Moody, while a student in Richmond College, 
made a profession of religion in the spring of 1872, and 
was baptized into the fellowship of the Grace Street 
Baptist Church by the pastor, Rev. Norval Wilson, D. D. 
In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Calmus 
Mclver, in Caldwell, Texas, the ceremony being performed 
by Rev. J. C. Calloway, D. D., pastor of the Caldwell 
Baptist Church. There were three sons and one daughter 
born of this union: the eldest son, Lieut. McIver Woody, 
assistant professor of Surgery, and secretary of the faculty 
of the Harvard Medical School, being a B. A. of the Uni- 
versity of Richmond; the second son, Wallace Mclver 
Woody, a distinguished writer for the New York Journal, 
and who fell in battle in the late World War on Septem- 
ber 10, 1918; the third son, Albert McIver Woody, now 
first lieutenant, is a student in the University of Rich- 
mond; and Miss Elizabeth McIver Woody, now adver- 
tisement writer in the City of New York, being a graduate 
of Wellesley College. Since 1885 Dr. Woody has been a 
deacon and a most influential member of the Broadway 
Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., in which city he has 
made his home for many years. In 1873 he was a member 
of the Grace Street Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., and - 
in 1923 he was, and still is, a member of the Broadway 
Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. 


180 . Living Episties 


MEMINI 


“Tf there’s a hole in a’ your coats, 
I rede ye tent it, 
A chiel’s amang ye takin’ notes, 
An faith he’ll prent it.” 


C. N. gave foregleams of his later career as judge by 
the way he tied his necktie and combed his hair. 


Dr. Dargan used to say to a very long-winded speaker, 
“Boil it down, brother Harlowe, boil it down.” (Editor 
of Living Epistles: Bah!) 


T. L. 8.’s room at college was scrupulously neat, and 
decorated with many pictures. He said that he noticed 
that a well-kept room discouraged loafers and rowdyism; 
nevertheless, his roommate aroused him one night, begging 
him to cut the cord which in some mysterious way had 
connected his toe to the door knob. 


H. C. $8. Does anyone remember the Dutchman who 
rarely failed to bring a letter or mail package to Hu. C. 
Schmit ? 


R. H. P. was not present when Dr. Curry, sitting in 
a musing posture with a troubled expression on his face, 
slowly remarked, “When a boy has extraordinary talent 
and will not apply himself, he should be made to do it.” 


J. W. W. was fully persuaded that the boys were trying 
' to kick the floor out of the chapel when Gov. Wise pre- 


Tue Oxtp Guarp 181 


sented to him a medal with the admonition, “Now, Sir, you 
go to the one in this audience that you love best.” 


A. B., Jr., may not have forgotten that first broad- 
cloth suit and white trousers he wore the day Dr. Curry 
made his great address, and the seats of the pavilion broke 
down. 


Wonder whether A. W. G. ever went back to look for 
that dignity he lost when he missed the football and his 
feet went upward and his head went in the opposite 
direction, where there was much mud. 


Luther Steele (may his spirit forgive) never denied his 
roommate’s statement that when his “calico” went back 
on him, he returned to his room intending to toss his 
hat on the bed, and expectorate into the fireplace; but 
somehow his purposes crossed currents and he— 


Porterfield, brother of George, was a very sedentary but 
successful student. His only diversion was to visit the 
gitls regularly on Friday evenings. He said “it kept him 
in good health.” 


J. H. H. was heard to say, “I’m going home,” and he 
could not be persuaded to change his mind. Two days 
later, he was missing. Two more days found him, grip 
in hand, knocking at his roommate’s door. His report 
was that after walking twenty miles from the nearest rail- 
road station to his home, and receiving the caresses of 
father, mother, and sisters, the stern, but wise father said 


182 Livine EpistLEs 


to him, “Go to your room, my boy, get a good night’s 
rest, and to-morrow morning your horse will be ready to 
take you to the station.” J. H. H. is now one of the 
trustees of Richmond University. 


The modern 1973 joke comes from St. George T. 
Abrahams, when he nominates the editor of these sketches 
for a place in the Hall of Fame, or else have his figure 
carved on Stone Mountain as a recognition of his efforts 
to immortalize “The Old Guard.” 


Prof. Harrison, teaching class in Latin, was discussing 
the uses of the two conjunctions vel and aut and said to 
the student on whom he had called, “Now, Mr. ; 
suppose | should say to you, ‘I have here in my stable a 
mule and a horse and you may use either the horse or 
the mule to ride down the street.?- Which would you take ?” 
The student answered very promptly and clearly, “I would 
take the horse, Professor.” Prof. Harrison took it good- 
naturedly and joined in the laugh. Then the young man 
gave his answer on the conjunction. 


Hugh Tabler was a fine mimic of a dog barking. There 
was an old gas pipe connecting his room on the third floor 
with the lecture room in the basement, which was used by 
Prof. Puryear. Tabler would bark into that pipe in his 
room and it would sound like a dog barking in the lecture 
room, much to the annoyance of Prof. Puryear and the 
amusement of the boys. One day Prof. Puryear gave a 
public demonstration on the campus of the effects of 
laughing gas on people. The boys prevailed on Tabler 


Tur Orn Guarp 183 


to take the gas, and when he was well under its influence, 
barked like a dog and gave his secret away amidst great 
laughter and merriment. 


A student, who was never known to smile or recognize 
a witticism, was called upon for an example of certain 
peculiar syntactic construction; he promptly replied, “If 
ever I cease to love; if ever I cease to love ; may the little 
dog laugh to see such sport, and the cow jump over the 
moon.” The syntax was all right but the little dog and 
the cow wrecked the Professor’s lecture. 


On a fearfully hot night a member of the Mu Sigma 
Rho Society turned himself in his seat, threw his leg over 
the arm of the chair, unbottoned his collar, threw it open 
and lounged in a very languid attitude. There was a boy 
in the meeting who had a cracked voice and was very 
rapid in speech. He arose and secured the recognition of 
the chairman and said, “Mr. President, I move that a 
committee be appointed to put Mr. H.’s collar on.” The 
collarless man left the room in confusion amid the hilarious 
laughter and applause. 


One night a group of boys from the third floor of the 
college building went out on a lark, beating tin pans, 
yelling, and kicking up a great noise. Students on that 
floor who had been disturbed by the noise decided to 
await their return and give them a drenching as they 
came up the stairway. When the time came there had 
to be haste. Bartlett Davies, of blessed memory, rushed 
from his room carrying a pitcher of water; he effectually 
used the water, but in his haste, struck the pitcher in 


184 Livine EPisTLEs 


such a way as to send it along with the water in frag- 
ments. The next day, as he walked across the campus, 
one of the boys who caught the water, cried out at him, 
“Hello, Mr. Pitcher!” to which Davis replied instantly, 
“Hello, Mr, Catcher!” The joke was turned. 


A boy who was very young to be in college was very 
fond of noisy pranks. He squatted down at a door, put 
his mouth atthe key-hole and blew a squeaker which made 
a terrible noise. J. H. Newbill came out from his room, 
next door, and discharged a basin of water on the head 
of the pranker. Quiet reigned. 


Tur Otp Guarp 185 


PLUS OR MINUS? WHICH? 


Let’s read the Religious Herald for a whole year, and 
then apply the mathematical test: Subtract the three 
letters on the right, subtract the letter R on the left; 
then letter & fourth from the right; then letter # second 
from left, then # fifth from right; then L third from 
left; letter H sixth from right; letter J fourth from left; 
letter S seventh from right; letter G fifth from left. Now 
look at the date on your label. 


The name of our invited guest sounds a free-gospel 
tone, so long as you keep your finger off that group on 
vowels near the middle. 


After reading the Religious Herald for a whole year, 
how do you pronounce those three vowels grouped near 
the middle of the name? 


When you admire the name of our invited guest, does 
it ever occur to you to stress those three vowels grouped 
near the middle? | 


Is there anything about that group of vowels in the 
name of our invited guest to remind its reader of Romans 
13 :7-8? 


THE WOMEN 
OF 
“THE OLD GUARD” 
AND 
THEIR TIMES 
BY 


MRS. WM. E. HATCHER 


> 


ri 71 TF 
aie 7 4 
TAR 4 


. 


a» 4 


THE Ors GUARD 189 


OUR SISTERS 
1873-1923 


At the Semi-Centennial Session of the Virginia Bap- 
tist General Association, there were many women; 
women beautiful, women intelligent, women pious, and 
women who were hopeful and forward looking. None of 
these women had even a poetic vision of the possibilities 
of the half-century then before them. And yet, very 
much of this great development has resulted through 
woman’s genius and woman’s faith. The Lord has been 
very merciful to us all. The Lord has placed special 
honor upon those who have been permitted, not only to 
take conspicuous part in this marvelous progress, but 
remain to-day as Living Epistles to testify to their deeds. 


We number in our ranks,—first in point of age,—our 
elder sister Mrs. I. B. Lake, then Mrs. ©. F. Sugg, Mrs. 
H. M. Smither, Mrs. Theodore Triplett, and Mrs. Wm. 
E. Hatcher. When the writer found himself confront- 
ing this quintette of illustrious women of God, he un- 
covered his head, but his pen was palsied with embar- 
rassment. ‘l'o write about his chums of early days and 
men of the present, seemed easy and natural, but these 
women! These dear sisters! Then came this thought : 


Let the women write their own sketches. I at once 
turned to Mrs. Wm. E. Hatcher, who generously re- 


190 Livine EPiIsTLESs 


sponded to my appeal, and has in her own beautiful 
style presented the sketches of the other four. To re 
lieve Mrs. Hatcher of personal embarrassment, our com- 
rade, Dr. C. V. Waugh, has been deputized to record 


something of her interesting history. 


- —Sypnor, Hditor. 


Tor Oxup Guarp 191 


MRS. W. E. HATCHER 


[The following sketch of Mrs. Hatcher has been prepared by 
Dr. C. V. Waugh at my request.—T, L. Sydnor, Editor.] 


In a family of eight chil- 
dren, she was the only daugh- 
ter, and youngest child of 
George Holman Snead and 
Oranie Johnson Pollard, born 
at the “Old Homestead,” 
Fork Union, Fluvanna, Va., 
on November 24, 1843. 

Her parents were of the 
old type, true, devoted, active 
members of the Fork Church. 
Her father was one of its 
deacons. Religion and edu- 
cation held sway in that 
home. 

As a child of five years, 
with her brothers she went to the school taught by Dr. 
P. S. Henson where she learned her letters. At six she 
went regularly to school beginning her musical instruc- 
tion and, fortunately for her, was very competently taught 
in all branches for the succeeding years. Mr. Austin Seay 
who sponsored the school for the education of his daughters, 
wrote every year to the Boston Bureau for a teacher. One 
of these teachers married Dr. N. B. Gay. ? 

Professing religion when eleven years old, she was 
baptized in a stream near her home in J anuary after the 
ice was taken off. 


192 Living EPiIsTLES 


After four years attendance at this village school, her 
special maid going with her, and coming for her, she 
spent four more at the Fluvanna Female Institute, Dr. 
P. S. Henson, principal. She was craduated there at 
the age of fifteen years. This was no ordinary school. 
Mrs. Hatcher writes that her thesis was “Tndependence of 
Thought,” featuring that if women could not do as they: 
chose, they might think as they chose and get ready for 
action. Dr. Henson’s comment was, “but not the kind 
that effervesces in Woman’s Rights conventions.” : 


Susan B. Anthony was abroad then. 


Mrs. Hatcher finished French under Miss Eliza Puffer, 
a Boston teacher and had studied Latin and German. 
She delighted in Butler’s Analogy. 


Dr. Henson and her eldest brother, Burwell, were near 
neighbors and college chums. She remembers that she 
often sat at their feet listening to their talks on books, 
which fostered her later love of them. She had two 
brothers, graduates of University of Virginia. Another 
had to leave to join the Army. 

Her brother, Burwell, was a lawyer who, after grad- 
uating from the University, located in Charlottesville. 
He campaigned for Douglas. He was interested in the 
establishing of a high-class school for women, and took her 
there to continue her studies under Professor John Hart, 
president of Albemarle Institute, with faculty mainly of 
M. A’s of the University. She was in the first class of 
English, it is-said, ever graduating cum laude. It is 
said that President Hart told a friend that she had as 
fine a mind as any student at the University. Music on 
piano was kept up under a German professor. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 193 


H: H.. Harris, A: B. Brown, J. C. Hiden, and others 
were her teachers. In 1861 she with Lottie Moon took 
Latin, Italian, and the regular course, and received M. A. 
degrees. She took calculus as a special. Lottie always 
spent a week with her when in this country. 


The death of her distinguished brother, Burwell, sad- 
dened her happy home life. The anxieties of the Civil 
War were to her intensified by the fact that five brothers 
were in the Southern Army. | 


In the summer of 1864 she met William Eldridge 
Hatcher at Mt. Zion in Buckingham. She heard him 
preach there at an association. He was a college mate of 
a cousin, Pomfrey Seay. They were introduced by Pom- 
frey Seay. On December 22, 1864 they were married in 
Fork Church by his cousin, Dr. J. B. Jeter, and Pastor 
W. A. Whitescarver. After the wedding at the Old Home- 
stead they spent a week being entertained by friends of 
the community and then home life began in South Rich- 
mond. At the wedding A. B. Woodfin, John R. Bagby, 
Charles H. Ryland, and Harvey Hatcher were groomsmen. 


Returning from the wedding of her brother, Charles GQ. 
Snead, to Miss Sallie Broadus, she found that Richmond 
was being evacuated ; saw the troops going and beheld the 
flames doing their destructive work. 


After living two years in Manchester, now Sduth Rich- 
mond, two years were spent at Franklin Square, Balti- 
more, they went then to The First Church, Petersburg, for 
eight years. To Grace Street Church they went in 1875, 
spending twenty-seven years. 


She was president of Alumnae Association of Albemarle 
Institute, later Rawlings, for a number of years, 


194 Livina EPiIsTLESs 


On the recommendation of Major Taylor Ellyson she 
was made a trustee for Hartshorn Memorial College, in 
its beginning and has been ever since, the only Southern 
woman to have that honor. Dr. W. P. Faunce is president. 


Her greatest work probably was in organizing and de- 
veloping the Woman’s Missionary Union. The Woman’s 
Circle of Richmond, through Mrs. Temple and Mrs. Wil- 
liams, pays a loving tribute to her for her twenty-seven 
years of effective service. She was present at the meet- 
ing in Baltimore, 1868, when a call was made for an or- 
ganization. Mrs. Dr. J. B. Jeter was the first president 
and Mrs. Hatcher worked with her, writing up the matter 
in Southern papers. At Mrs. J eter’s death Mrs. Hatcher 
was made president. 


The meeting for organization was held in Richmond; she 
took part in writing the constitution, and was the first 
Virginia president of the Central Committee of the 
Southern Baptist Convention. Her interest in the work 
has never flagged. 

About this time she spent three months in Europe with 
her daughter, Orie, and was entertained in Scotland by a 
friend of Dr. Hatcher’s. On her return a banquet was 
tendered her by the Woman’s Missionary Society, in the 
new Grace Street Baptist Church. She wrote for Kind 
Words a series of articles on “What I saw in Europe,” 
eiving account of a collision with an iceberg. 

At the death of her former teacher, Dr. A. B. Brown, 
of Richmond College, she wrote the Life and Writings of 
A. B. Brown. The publishers asked for her husband’s 
name, as hers was unknown. He wrote one chapter and 
his name was added. 


Tur Orv Guarp 195 


She has been for many years a student of genealogical 
records having data from the Land Grant Office of Vir- 
ginia. Her family book, Sneads of Fluvanna, has com- 
manded much interest on the part of libraries. She is 
the author of two books, A. B. Brown, Life and Letters, 
and The Sneads of Fluvanna. 


She compiled and edited a Virginia Cook Book, sold for 
the building fund of Grace Street Church, lately pub- 
lished. 


She has been a contributor to the Religious Herald and 
to other papers. 


A Trip to the Orient, published and sold for benefit of 
Y. W. A. in the beginning of that organization. She is 
a charter member of Virginia Writers’ Club to which so 
many distinguished writers belong. 


When seventy-five years old she was presented with a 
silver vase meant as a loving cup from ladies of Grace 
Street Church on November 24, 1914. It was marked 
“With Love from the Women of Grace Street Baptist 
Church—Proverbs, 31st,—31st.” Her daughter Edith 
celebrated her eightieth birthday by giving her a party at 
the Jefferson Hotel. 


Dr. Hatcher died in 1912. She traveled with Miss Orie 
in Canada, August, 1913. 


Her daughter, Orie, dedicated her edition of Shakes- 
peare with these words, 


“TO MY MOTHER 


Whose love of knowledge and love of life 
make her always one of the younger generation,” 


196 Livina EpisTLes 


She is popular with the young people, counting many 
of them as her closest friends. Her nieces and nephews 
dearly love her. She and her brother, Charles, are the 
sole survivors of eight children. 


In her children she has her great delight. They are Dr. 
Eldridge Burwell Hatcher, professor of Bible in Blue 
Mount College, Miss.; Miss Orie Latham Hatcher, presi- 
dent of Southern Woman’s Educational Alliance; Mrs. 
Kate Jeter Demott, D. A. R. Regent, Lynchburg, Va.; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Hatcher Sadler, writer, Richmond, Va. ; 
Mrs. Edith Hatcher Harcum, president of Harcum School, 
Bryn Mawr, Pa.; Miss Virginia Mabel Hatcher, died 
1900; David Steel Hatcher, died 1876; Brantly and Elsie, 
twins, died 1880. 

Her son, Dr. E. B. Hatcher writes: “Our home in Rich- 
mond was always an exceptionally hospitable one, guests 
coming and going. It called for great resourcefulness and it 
was amid great strain she played her part of wife and 
mother. The education of her children drew largely on 
her time and strength, but she found time for much church 
work—specially women’s work and for writing our mis- 
sionary.” 

Dr. Hatcher began to help boys to an education in the 
beginning of his ministry as he remembered how he longed 
for an education. There was rarely a time when he did 
not have in his home a boy he was educating ;—some- 
times furnishing him everything needed. No record was 
ever kept of what he gave to them nor did he wish any 
return. These items are mentioned because it was Mrs. 
Hatcher’s aid that made it possible for him to do it. She 
was mother to them all. The life they lived with the boys 
_is in a grand sense an Hternal Lvfe. 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 197 


Since Dr. Hatcher’s death she stays at her country 
home only in the summer when her family can visit her. 
She is with them in the winter. Careby Hall, Fork Union, 
the last home of Dr. Hatcher, was an ideal place with him, 
for the gathering of his loved ones and many guests. 
While living here he founded what became the Academy. 
He once said that it was in honor of his wife that he 
yielded to the folk who were anxious to educate their 
children and started this classical school. Before the 
War there was always a classical school in Fork Union. 

In a way characteristic of her modesty, Mrs. Hatcher 
writes that what gives her most happiness in her old 
age is what she has been able to do to help others. The 
exalted appreciation of her noble life is attested by the 
pile of earnest, loving, commendatory notes before us. We 
wish we could give them all, but a lack of space forbids; — 
so with deep regret we make a few excerpts and give them. 

A Latin poet says, 


“Quod haec meminisse juvabit.” 


APPRECIATIONS 


“Dr. Wiliam HE. Hatcher was pastor of the Grace 
Street Baptist Church for twenty-six years, and during 
those years of her great work and accomplishments, Mrs. 
Hatcher was his constant helper and adviser. She or- 
ganized the Woman’s Missionary Society of the church, 
which, through her earnest efforts as president, did a 
great work, contributing largely to all missionary objects. 
Also she was president of the Aid Society of the church, 
which did a wonderful work for the needy of the church 
and community. Her labors were not confined to the 
church, for she was leader in many enterprises in the 


198 Livine EPiIstTLes 


city, notably among them, ‘The Baptist Home for Aged 
Women.’ Of that she was vice-president for many years. 
She is beloved by all who know her.” 


Mrs. VAN BuREN AND Mrs. S. B. ADKINS. 


Another of Grace Street Church’s most valued members 
writes: 


“None of old Grace Street Church could put into words 
what Mrs. Hatcher meant to each member there. For my- 
self I would like to tell, that from our earliest acquaint- 
ance her wise friendly advice, sometimes urging me for- 
ward and sometimes checking me in my impulsiveness, 
has had more to do with shaping my spiritual develop- 
ment than any other influence in my church life. 

“Many others could rise up and bless her for the in- 
fluence of her earnest talks on their hearts, made fitly_ 
and when most needed. 

“We all love her not only because she is Dr. Hatcher’s 
living representative, but for her own lovable personality. 
When she has gone above to the reward awaiting her, there 
will be a great vacancy which none ean fill.” 


Mrs. S. B. Wirt. 


Another of the charmed circle of friends writes: 


“T’o be accounted worthy of a place among the friends 
of “The Old Guard” stimulates me to attempt to do some- 
thing to honor her whose memory I love to cherish. With 
her great intellectual scope, rare scholarly attainments, 
unlimited versatility, and genial, kind, magnetic spirit, 
she was wonderfully equipped for any realm or post on 
the globe. With unceasing interest in every phase of 
human life she is ever ready to aid in all uplifting 


Tur Oxp Guarp 199 


activities. She stands preéminent among “The Old Guard” 
in this service. Apart from her spiritual leadership she 
is to me a charming companion and a warm personal 
friend. She will ever live in the hearts of those left 
behind when her spirit takes its heavenly flight. But 
may it please our Heavenly Father to let her remain for ~ 
a goodly season among us, affording us the joy of seeing 


her face to face. Mrs. J. D. CaRNEAL. 


Another writes: 

“Because of her affable, placid, happy personality, Mrs. 
Hatcher stands out most conspicuously in my mind. Fac- 
ing the duties of pastor’s wife, mother, friend, neighbor, 
with unruffled calmness, holding firmly to her ideals, she 
fights the good fight and her works will follow her.” 


Mrs. JoHN A. BARKER. 


Another loved Grace Street Church worker writes: 

“When I came to Richmond in 1892, a timid bride, Mrs. 
Hatcher and her lovely family were so cordial in their 
greetings that I never felt myself a stranger. 

“In the Missionary Society I never worked with a more 
consecrated Christian woman. Her soul was full of the 
spirit of missions, and she was every ready to help and to 
advise. The work she did for Grace Street Church will 
live always. Our association in this work developed a 
friendship which grows sweeter and dearer to me. May 
she be spared many more years of usefulness.” 

Mrs. W. R. TRAINHAM. 


A member of the Foreign Mission Board of the S. B. C. 
said that the earliest memories of Mrs. Hatcher were of 


200 Livinc EpistLEs 


her great interest in missions shown in many ways. She 
brought Miss Lottie Moon to speak to the children and 
the fact that she and Miss Lottie were schoolmates caused 
the children to become interested. She says she dates 
her love of missions back to these talks of Miss Lottie’s. 


Miss A. F. 


Another writes that she was very timid about taking 
leadership and speaking, and that Mrs. Hatcher en- 
couraged her in persevering, until she largely overcame it 
and has been president of a society and much honored for 
Meo Mrs. WALTER JONES. 

Mrs. William Carneal, prominent worker in Grace Street 
Church, writes: 

“Loving memories are mine when I think of the long 
happy years of our association in dear old ‘Grace Street.’ 
As a bride I loved and looked up to her. In the work of 
the church I was glad to have her for a leader and a 
friend.” 


Dr. J. C. Motley, head of Abington Hospital, writes: 


About thirty-two years ago, a very ungainly orphan 
boy got from the train at old Elba Station, Richmond. 
As he did so he stepped into a new world, for he was 
welcomed into the home of Dr. and Mrs. W. E. Hatcher, 
with a generous kindness that can never be forgotten. 
For six or seven years this home was an inspiration to the 
growing boy and its influence did much to develop his 
character. This lad, now a busy surgeon, rarely comes 
into contact with a motherless boy without seeing him- 
self in that boy, and remembers what Dr. and Mrs. 


Tur Orp Guarp 201 


Hatcher did to make a man of him. The investment 
of their love and kindness in that country boy is still 
drawing interest.” 


Another witness writes: 


“In the last century Mrs. Hatcher was a pioneer in 
Woman’s Work. Although there was much opposition to 
women’s separate organizations, she worked on at it. She 
and Mrs. Sallie Rochester Ford united in writing articles 
in several religious papers, urging Christian women to 
come to the help of their benighted pagan sisters. 

“The Hatcher’s home was noted for its Blue Room, a 
home for visiting brother ministers and their families. 
She always had a cheerful greeting for her husband’s 
many visitors. Many of the college boys who are now 
eminent ministers and laymen were fostered at this home. 
As a Sunday school teacher, sympathetic friend, an in- 
telligent leader ever ready for every good word and work, 
she was a blessing in her sphere. May she long live to 
inspire the rising generation with her cheery smile and 
wholesome Christian spirit in personal service of ‘Grow- 


ing old gracefully.’ ” Lovingly, 


Mrs. Suk P. Cooprnr. 


Mrs. Geo. F. McDaniel, Va., herself president of the 
Women’s Missionary Union, and wife of the president of 
the Southern Baptist Convention, sends this note: 

“Virginia Snead had the best preparation for her life 
work. She was reared in a family noted for its educa- 
tional and religious worth, and was further fitted by 
travel and advanced study for the responsible place which 
she was to occupy. 


202 Livine EPpistTLes 


“When she became the bride of the illustrious William 
E. Hatcher, she brought to the new home and the new 
task rare accomplishments of mind and heart, and hence- 
forth was a source of help and inspiration, as well as of 
delight, to the young husband whose consecrated life she 
was to share. 


“The Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia still has 
her as an active and helpful member. She has a record 
of unbroken service dating from the organization of the 
Union in 1898. The history of the Union, recently writ- 
ten by Miss Emma Whitfield, of Richmond, says, ‘Espe- 
cially active in planning and bringing about the new or- 
ganization, the Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia, 
was Mrs. Wm. E. Hatcher. From an annual of the 
Woman’s Work we read that, ‘Mrs. W. E. Hatcher of 
Richmond was presented, and read an able and valuable 
historic account of ‘Woman’s Baptist Mission Work in 
Virginia.’ | 

“Not only was she active for so many years in the local 
work at Richmond, as shown by her long presidency of 
the city circle, but also, in planning the work in the State, 
which later was to take a responsible place in the sister- 
hood of Southern Baptist women. 

“How she must rejoice to-day, as she sees the fruitation 
of her labors of love for Richmond, for Virginia, and for 
the Southland! How her native state rejoices that she 
lingers still in her midst to counsel and to bless! 

“She was a good wife—‘Her husband is known in the 
gates’-— 

“She is a good mother—‘Her children rise up and call 
her blessed.’ 


TuE faye GUARD 203 


“She is a good Christian—‘Strength and honor are her 
clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.’ 
“What greater encomium could woman have, on earth 


or in Heaven?” 
Dovucias ScAaRBOROUGH McDanitet, 


Richmond, Va., May 23, 1924. 


The talented Fork Union pastor, Rev. Cosby Robertson, 
writes : 


“To be the wife of a great husband and the mother of 
distinguished children are credentials of superior worth. 
If Mrs. Hatcher had no other claims to distinction her 
place in our denominational history would be secure. 

“For many years Mrs. Hatcher has been closely iden- 
tified with the Baptist cause; she has been an ardent 
defender of the Faith and has championed every pro- 
gram launched by the Convention. To know Mrs. Hatcher 
is to admire her for unusual ability as a leader and to 
appreciate her beautiful Christian spirit. She is a woman 
of marked ability and her influence has been far-reaching. 
She is a charming conversationalist and a gifted writer. 

“We look forward with pleasure to her annual visits to 
Fork Union—we appreciate her ability, recognize her 
worth, and love her much. May she be spared yet—many 
years to gladden the gloom of this old needy world.” 


; Cossy M. Rosprertson. 
Fork Union, Va., 


Baptist Parsonage. 


A tribute from Rev. F. G. Lavender, of Live Oak, Fla., 
and his wife: 


“In 1912 we first met Mrs. Hatcher. Since then we 
have loved her dearly. She calls us her children and we 


904 Livine EpistLes 


think of her as ‘Mother.’ Her words of counsel and of 
sympathy have comforted and helped us. Her long life 
of unselfish consecration to the Lord’s cause has ever been 
radiant with sweetest devotion. Who can estimate the worth 
of her influence; who but God can tell of her worth to 
the Baptist cause of Virginia, and those with whom she 
comes in contact.” 


The distinguished Dr. W. W. Weeks, her beloved pastor, 
writes : 


“To understand the great work accomplished by Dr. 
W. E. Hatcher in the Grace Street Church, one needs 
know of the woman who was his comrade-wife through 
all those strenuous days. While possessing great natural 
ability herself, she gave her time and her strength un- 
reservedly to the work which her husband planned. I 
first met Mrs. Hatcher about four years ago, and was at 
once impressed by her clearness of vision and the broad- 
ness of her outlook. While some of the older members 
of Grace Street Church were reluctant to leave the old 
building because of the sacred memories lingering there, 
Mrs. Hatcher was one of the strong advocates of selling 
the old property and moving to the Boulevard. To her 
the cause was the matter of supreme importance, and the 
advancement of the Kingdom her highest ambition. How 
large a contribution Mrs. Hatcher made to the success of 
her illustrious husband, only eternity can reveal. She 
lives to-day in the hearts of the Grace Street Church 
people, and her visits to Richmond are a delight and in- 
spiration to us all. I thank God for the privilege of 
knowing this gifted woman—the worthy wife of a great 


man.” W. W. Weexs. 


Tur Oxp Guarp 205 


OLD AGE 


In response to a request from Dr. Sydnor to help by 
preparing the sketches of the women of “The Old 
Guard” who furnished data for the same I submit the 


following: 
8 Virainia SnNEAD HATCHER. 


(Mrs. W. E. Hatcher). 


The dividing line between middle age and old age 
seems well nigh obliterated. Those who are blessed with 
age often are so well preserved that they look younger 
than they are. <A piece of Longfellow’s writing came 
into my possession several years ago that is so pleasing 
that I will give it here. 


When I returned from Europe with a number of 
curios I offered them to Dr. Ryland to start a museum 
in Richmond College. He had only a mummy given by 
Dr. Curry. He was pleased to. get them and I continued 
to get interesting curios of the Revolution and Colonial 
times. After making a visit to Longfellow’s home, kept 
as a museum mainly, I wrote to Miss Alice Longfellow 
for something of her father’s that had never been pub- 
lished. She very promptly sent me the article below 
saying that when her father returned from a walk he 
wrote down what he had been thinking of. She and I 
being good friends, she visited me in Richmond and I 


206 Livine EPiIstTLEs 


took her to the college where she saw the paper, also the 
bust of her father that had just been placed. 


Oxtp AGE 


“Ts like an old musical instrument 
The case may be worn and broken 
But the music is as sweet as ever.” 


When old age comes with its limitations we do well to 
copy Rabbi Ben Ezra’s beautiful spirit who wrote, 


“Grow old along with me, 
The best is yet to be 
The last of life for which 


The first was made.” 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 207 


MRS. C. F. SUGG 


(MERRIE PENDER) 


In opening the package of 
letters from Dr. Sydnor, who 
had asked me to write the 
sketches of the women of 
“The Old Guard” who had 
sent data for same, my eyes 
fell first upon the name of 
Mrs. C. F. Sugg, whom I had 
known since her girlhood and 
whom [I will delight to honor. 

Mrs. Sugg gives a very 
modest account of herself, 
writing Dr. Sydnor, “My life 
has been spent quietly in the 
country with my family, 
“The short and simple an- 
nals’ of a country woman, and doing little to Tet eaes| 
others.” 

Just the kind of photograph of herself I would expect 
her to give. And yet it is full of meaning. The saint- 
liest of our women have spent years in the country, where, 
removed from the city’s din and distractions, they medi- 
tate on God’s kindnesses, and codperate with Him in 
carrying out His plans for the furtherance of the Gospel. 

To see Mrs. Sugg is to read her character, her sweet 
smiling face betokens gentleness, thoughtfulness, self-ab- 
negation,—to minister, not to be ministered unto. 


208 Livine EpistiEs: 


There stands now on the corner of Grace and First 
streets, Richmond, a handsome three-story house, that 
was the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah B. Jeter, former 
pastor of Grace Street Church. It was a home of plenty, 
culture, and -hospitality. Into this home came Miss 
Merrie Pender, after the death of her parents in North 
Carolina. She was born in Tarboro, September 15, 1855. 
Her mother was Marie Louise Williams, of Petersburg, 
a sister of Mrs. Jeter. Soon afterwards her little sister, 
Marie Louise, who later married Dr. Allen 'Tupper, came. 
Dr. Jeter had been married four times and Mrs. Jeter, 
three. They were childless, but they loved children, and 
had already adopted little Bessie Jeter and Philip Jeter. 
Merrie and Marie found loving companionship in this 
home. From here they went to the Richmond Female 
Institute till they graduated. 


Mrs. Sugg writes, “We grew to womanhood in that 
lovely refined home. What a blessed privilege it was to 
have the loving care of these noble cultured Christians. 
I do not recall having one cross word from that noble, 
sainted man of God. If we had been their own children, 
they could not have loved us more tenderly.” 


“They had a happy family of seven, for I would not 
overlook Miss Emily Brown, of blessed memory, the noble 
self-sacrificing friend of all. I alone am left of the seven, 
and I alone am left of my father’s family of seven. 
Surely that home deserves more than a passing notice. 
Dr. Jeter, called the ‘Nestor of Virginia Baptists,’ pastor 
of Grace Street Church at that time was prominent social- 
ly and religiously. It was a common practice with him 
to entertain almost every distinguished personage who 


Tur Oxp Guarp - 209 


came to the city. Mrs. Jeter was a pastmaster in good 
form and far above the masses in accomplishments. 


It was often that we were invited to their banquets, 
and I well remember the lively discussions, repartees that 
flashed across the board. The children were not debarred 
from participation in the convivialities of such occasions, 
and greatly enjoyed it. 


Mrs. Sugg was converted at the age of eighteen years in 
the revival held by Rey. A. B. Earle, a Northern evangelist, 
and was baptized in the Grace Street Church by Dr. Jeter. 
A number of her friends, including Bessie and Philip 
Jeter, joined at the same time. It was a notable meeting 
of great power. Many of the leading Baptists of Richmond 
to-day were brought into the church during that revival. 
Bessie attended the Richmond Female Institute until she 
graduated. At that time Mr. John Hart, the first pres- 
ident of the Albemarle Institute, was its head. He was 
considered a most distinguished alumnus of the Univer- 
sity. As the Albemarle was my own alma mater, I know 
whereof I speak. 


The Richmond Institute was patronized by all denomi- 
nations. Its faculty was of high order, and its curriculum 
equal to that of the best schools for women. The elite 
of the city patronized it. To be a graduate of Richmond 
Female Institute was an open sesame to positions of honor 
and influence. They went forth to direct the educational 
streams that were starting up from women’s development. 
It had in its faculty men of learning that ranked among 
the highest. 


Graduating in 1873, Merrie taught at first. After her 
conversion she became a helper to Mrs. Jeter in the infant 


910 _ Livine Ervistiers 


class at Grace Street Church. This class was organized 
by Mrs. Kingsford when her husband was the pastor of 
the church. It was so developed by Mrs. Jeter as to 
become a sort of show place. Many of those now living 
point with pride to the fact that they began the Christian 
life in this class. 


Merrie was married to Charles F. Sugg in 1876. He 
was from Tarboro, N. C. Her children’s names are Kate 
Jeter (Mrs. W. P. Waite), Marie Louise (Mrs. C. H. Mc- 
Kenney), Merrie Aubrey (Mrs. A. B. Childrey) and J. B. 
Jeter Sugg. 


She writes that she has been living in small towns in 
the country, teaching much in Sunday schools. “For 
many years I have been a member of Bowling Green 
Church, Caroline, Va., teaching in Sunday school there 
and was president of Woman’s Missionary Society till I 
came to reside with my daughter on the border of Spot- 
sylvania. I still keep membership in Bowling Green 
Church.” 


She writes that when the Woman’s Association was 
formed in 1902 she was appointed superintendent of 
Woman’s Work by the Central Committee in Richmond. 
Miss Daisy Hutson, was then president. She held the 
office till 1921 when on account of poor health she resigned. 
That year the societies gave $100.00 over the amount 
pledged. Of her labors in that association her able co- 
worker, Miss Minnie Broaders, writes: “W. M. U. work 
within its bounds, and the steady growth and strengthen- 
ing of that work, during her wise and faithful leadership 
of eighteen years, proved her fitness for the position. In- 


Tur Oxtp GuarD 911 


telligent, well-informed, gentle, yet firm, patient, and 
untiring in her efforts, cultured, and consecrated, she 
possessed gifts well suited to her task. Through her 
efforts, societies were organized in nearly all of the 
churches and missionary interest and information greatly 
quickened. Only eternity will disclose the value of her 
labor. Though she is no longer superintendent, she 
still works and prays for the cause of missions (so dear 
to her heart), and to other workers in the Association 
she gives the invaluable help of constant encouragement 
and wise counsel.” 


Since the beginning of her labors in the Woman’s 
Missionary work—she has been an ardent worker and 
supporter — she has worked quietly, but continuously 
everywhere she has lived. She stands as the representa- 
tive of woman’s work, one of its bulwarks. She stood 
like a great oak in the forest when the storms of protest 
were launched against it by some of our leading men, 
fearing the sisters would set up a separate independent 
organization—she flinched not, but sure of the belief that 
it was a divine movement she stood like many other 
devout Christian women, shoulder to shoulder with the 
Central Committee, and the work continued as before and 
developed into the great Union organized in Richmond. 
One near to her writes, in answer to request for data, that 
she was of gentle birth and careful training, and that to her 
she is the highest type of well-bred Christian woman- 
hood. The effects of this on her children—on her home 
circle and throughout her wide acquaintance has been a 
loving helpful influence; her scope has broadened with 
the years. Her intelligence, dignity, and sweetness of 


919 Livine Episties 


character, combined with a bravery of spirit, a will to 
do, and determination to carry on at any cost, have 
combined to make a personality which stands out as one 
of those who are head and shoulders above the masses. 
Her activities in her church, in her community, and in 
the various churches and civic organizations in the State 
have been a powerful force for good, and the good works 
she has done, will live after in the hearts of many. 


Mrs. W. BE. Harcrer (Vircrnia Snpap). 


Tue Orv GuarD 913 


MRS. THEODORE M. TRIPLETT 


(MARY AGNES LAKE) 


Mrs. Triplett was born in 
Fauquier County, Va., on 
May 8, 1857. Her maiden 
name was Mary Agnes Lake, 
and she was the daughter of 
William H. and Sarah E. 
Lake. Her father was the 
oldest brother of Dr. I. B. 
Lake. 

After attending private 
schools till she was sixteen 
years of age, she entered Ro- 
anoke College, Danville, Dr. 
Lake and Dr. Thomas 
Hume being principals. She 
was a member of Dr. Hume’s 
Bible class. She was converted while in Danville and 
became a member of the church there, Dr. Chaplin, pastor, 
baptizing her in the Dan River. When she returned home 
she united with the Pleasant Vale Church, of which she 
is now a member. 


She was married to Theodore Montgomery Triplett, 
December 18, 1877. Their home is at Markham, Va. 
Their children are William Wert, Leonidas Lake, Theo- 
dore Montgomery, Jr., and Mary Foote. 


214 Livine EPistTLes 


I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Triplett, 
though both of us attended the Semi-Centennial and 
Centennial meetings in Richmond, but when I learned 
that she was the cousin of Dr. Lake, I felt she could not 
be much of a stranger, as Dr. Lake and Dr. Hatcher 
were most devoted friends. Also I have received from 
her pastor, Mr. Frazer, such a markedly significant de- 
scription of her that I could make no mistake in picturing 
her even if I had received no other data. A scientist 
claims that given a certain bone he can construct the 
animal. He writes, “She is a woman of strong convic- 
tions. JI have often listened to her teach her Sunday 
school class. She always comes prepared both intellec- 
tually and spiritually.” What more can a pastor expect 
of a member than to fill such an important position in 
such a way. Mr. Frazer also writes, “She keeps up with 
the denominational matters and is a woman of culture 
and piety. She is a friend of preachers.” 


Mrs. Triplett was favored by Providence in the place 
of her birth and afterwards in her home. I have seen 
the beautiful Italian skies, the blue of the Danube, and 
the ruins of the palaces of the Rhine, but I have never 
seen the lovely rolling county of Fauquier. It has the 
reputation of having more beautiful homes than any other 
county in the State, and in this I am a loser. Another 
asset for Mrs. Triplett is that she has lived in a cultured 
community. One near to her writes that she lived in a 
small mountain hamlet at the foot of the Blue Ridge in a 
most cultured neighborhood, to which many noted per- 
sonages have come. She says so much is expected of those 
who have opportunities and that, although in a small place, 
she has touched many lives in a real way. 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 915 


Almost continuously since her membership she has 
been a teacher in the Sunday school, and an attendant 
at the Baptist Encampment. Believing in thorough prep- 
aration of her work as teacher she has studied carefully 
such books as What Baptists Believe, Old Testament 
Studies, Studies in the New Testament, Building the 
Bible Class, The Bible and Missions, and two books of 
the Normal Manual. By this devoted preparation for 
her work, she is worthy of all emulation. She loves to 
meet the brethren and sisters who are laboring for the 
Kingdom to come, and was long a regular attendant at 
the District Association. She was present at the General 
Association in Washington in 1920 from which she re- 
ceived much inspiration for her own personal work. 


Mrs. Triplett was favored too, with an education denied 
to many and we know that education is power. It pre- 
pares for life by training the mind to think, how to 
evaluate the things of life—it is not so much what we 
learn, as how we learn. Mrs. Triplett kept up her love 
of knowledge and availed herself of every opportunity 
for gaining it. She writes that she attended Roanoke 
Female Institute under Drs. Lake and Thomas Hume, 
both of whom are distinguished educators, Dr. Lake later 
deciding to preach and Dr. Hume becoming a professor 
in Wake Forest College. Some one has written that 
civilization is what women make it. In the past it was 
thought to be the result of influence on men which made 
it. Now woman has a part in the making. Mrs. Trip- 
lett is one of those characters that constitute the ground- 
work of the Christian religion. They form the bulwark of 
the church. In these days when there is so much apostasy, 
—ministers denying the Virgin birth, resurrection, and 


216 Livine EpistieEs 


second coming of our Lord, these women stand like a 
stone wall of resistance and the deadly shafts and darts 
fall helpless. Many years ago when I was in Memphis, I 
told my hostess just before leaving that I had not seen the 
Mississippi River, and she insisted I should go down to it 
and cross it, as I did. I saw on either side the broad high 
levee that kept the water from overflowing the city. 
Something lke this is the wall of Christian women to pro- 
tect Christianity. 

About a year ago I asked a rector what he thought of 
the Bible, after I had heard him preach a sermon of no 
spiritual value. He. said, “It is only one of many good 
books,” and he was preaching to a large audience in a 
big city. Times are serious and call for much prayer 
on the part of those who love the Lord. Churches seem 
to have lowered the standards. It is easier to enter the 
church membership than it used to be. The new type of 
religion is not like the old. Mrs. Triplett is not one of 
the kind to be affected by itching ears and desire for the 
new while seeking always to know the truth that gives 
freedom. Mrs. Triplett had the experience of having 
traveled on the Pacific Coast, from Canada down into- 
Mexico. She wrote most interesting letters to friends 
and might have given delight to many more if she had 
written for publication, for she wields the pen of a “ready 
writer” with her fine diction. She is an important mem- 
ber of her community and gives of her time and means 
to its upbuilding. She has been for seventeen years sec- 
retary of the Ladies’ Aid Society of her church. She 
was the chairman of the Red Cross Knitting Committee in 
the war years, inspecting all articles to be sent to the 
soldiers. 


Tur Oxtp GuarpD EF 


She writes from her bed of illness that she finds that 
those pure affections which bind us to each other, and to 
our God and Saviour are the things that give us most 
pleasure. | 


It will be good news to her many friends that since 
the above was written she has recovered from a serious 
accident and the prospect is good for a long and happy 
old age—a happy exponent of Christianity. 


May her tribe increase. 
Mrs. W. EH. HarcHer. 


918 Livine Episties 


MRS. H. L. SMITHER 


(FANNIE R. GRESHAM) 


Mrs. Smither’s maiden 
name was Fannie R. Gres- 
ham. Mrs. Smither was 
born in Richmond County, 
April 8, 1854. Her parents 
moved in 1858 to Middlesex, 
where she now resides. Mrs. 
Smither has three children: 
Dr. C. L. Smither, who re- 
sides in Cumberland, Md., 
and who is a distinguished 
and successful dentist in that 
city; R. Ellis Smither, who 
is in business in New York 
City, and is a graduate of 
the University of Richmond, 
and M. A. of the University of Virginia. She has one 
daughter, Bernice, who married Mr. Claude Neale, a promi- 
nent business man of Saluda, Va., where they at present 
reside. Mrs. Neale is a very fine and cultured young 
lady, and well-educated. Mrs. Smither was converted in 
1868 under the preaching of Rey. Addison Hall, of Lan- 
caster County. She has been a regular attendant and 
member of Clark’s Neck Church ever since located in 
Saluda. 

Mrs. Smither was a Gresham and that is an appealing 
name to me. Dr. Hatcher had so many warm influential 


Tue Oxrp Guarp 219 


friends among them that they cannot be foreign to me. 
I recall the Petersburg Greshams whose descendants I 
meet in Lynchburg and elsewhere, so that we renew our 
friendships. Also in Grace Street Church one of the most 
liberal consecrated members of the church was a Mr. 
John Gresham. 7 

She writes, “You know few of us had opportunity to 
go off to school after the war.” She attended the first 
public school there, taught by a young lawyer. She had 
the distinction of having taught ex-Gov. Montague who, 
I doubt not, would add his voice of approval of her fine 
qualifications. 

It was a sad fact that, with the loss of our property, 
many of our schools, as well as the rich planters of the 
South who expected to patronize them, suffered a collapse. 
Mrs. Smither’s time for college education came after the 
War. 

One near to her writes that she has always been a very 
liberal supporter of our church, preferring to be private 
in the ranks to be a leader, though she has held offices 
in all the organizations by the church. “She is a teacher 
of the Ladies’ Bible Class. This, she has been for twenty- 
two years. She has only the education that public schools 
could afford and became a teacher. Ex-Gov. Montague, 
one of her pupils would gladly tell you more of her charac- 
ter than we tell you. She was ever a great home lover, 
raising her children in the fear and admonition of the 
Lord.” | ; 

A church usually selects the best-informed, the best 
Bible student, a woman of spiritual powers able to impart 
and suggest best interpretation. It is a high honor to 
Mrs. Smither to have occupied this position. 


220 Livina EpistTLes 


I counted it a great privilege last winter when in 
Jacksonville, Fla., I was asked to address the Women’s 
Bible Class of fifty women present at 9:30, most of whom 
were married women. | 

As teacher of Women’s Bible Class she weilds an in- 
fluence second only to that of the pastor. Having often 
taught such a class I know. Loving hearts will be ever 
ready to testify to the good work she has wrought in 
them. My heart has often been made happy by such 
expressions from them. 

Quaec hoc meminisse juvabit. 

I find that, that which gives me the most happiness in 
old age is what I have done to help others—rather than 
what others do for me, although I am grateful for what 
they have done. | 

Just as I expected, too modest and retiring to give a 
correct view of herself—she belongs to the great sister- 
hood of elite women codperating with the Father in carry- 
ing forward all the great activities of the church. 

The quiet country worker in the church and especially 
in the societies of the women keep the temperature of 
the church normal, to prevent it from sinking to zero. 
Christ said to his disciples, that they would do greater 
works than he was doing. The Christian women are 
co-workers with our Lord. I am reminded of an item 
read recently about the great violin maker, Stradivarius. 
It was that his wife found him hard at work on a violin. 
She asked him who showed him how to make violins. 
He said, “God.” She replied, “God could not make a 
Stradivarius violin without you.” The great work being 
done by the W. M. U. begun in 1888 in Richmond is 
being carried on by such workers as is Mrs. Smither. 


Tue Oxp Guarp 991 


Evidently she must have run the gamut of life’s ex- 
periences of light and shadow, joy and pain. Who has 
not? Notably those whose lives, like hers, have spanned a 
good part of this and the last century. Born a few years 
before the War when Southern life was easy—possibly 
when she was too young to value its ease and, like Ambas- 
sador Page, failed perhaps to realize what war was at first. 
In his fine biography he gives a gripping story of how 
he and his playmate, a colored boy, were walking one 
day when the boy said, “What is war, anyway?” He 
replied, “It’s nothing, it is just like Santa Claus at Christ- 
mas. ‘They are just fooling us.” They walked on and got 
to the station where a box was lifted out of the train and 
some women in black were crying. Then disillusionment 
came. | 

There were few homes not touched by that terrible war 
that shook our homes to their foundation, changing our 
mode of life, leaving us wellnigh bankrupt if not de- 
prived of loved ones. 

Mrs. Smither has kept herself so constantly in the 
background, I have not been able to get all the facts in 
her life that would have made this sketch more interest- 
ing. Diffidence and modesty seem to be some of her 
chief characteristics, inherited in part I doubt not from 
her Gresham ancestors—noble traits that reminds one of 
Abou Ben Adhem who thought that his name was left 
out of those who were to be saved. 


“And lo, his name led all the rest.” 


So with Mrs. Smither, I take it that if a referendum 
were held in the church, her name would lead the rest as 
one of the most active beloved members. 


9292 Living EpistieEs 


See the splendid sketch as furnished below. To have 
had two such fine contributions from two such distin- 
guished men as Dr. Pitt and Attorney General Saunders 
is a thing of great value. Nothing else seems necessary. 


Dear Mrs. Hatcher: 


I doubt if I can give you as many facts concerning 
Mrs. Smither as you ought to have for your sketch. She 
was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolphus Gresham 
whose beautiful home was located near Saluda. They 
were excellent Baptist people, good, faithful, intelligent 
members of their community and devout and useful mem- 
bers of the Clark’s Neck (Saluda) Church. Early in her 
young womanhood Miss Fannie Gresham married Mr. 
Herbert L. Smither, a merchant at Saluda, a man of high 
character, greatly respected and honored by his fellow 
citizens. Here at Saluda within about a mile of her old 
home she has lived throughout her married life. A year 
or so ago, I do not know the exact date, Mr. Smither 
died. They have several children of whom Mrs. Smither 
herself will doubtless write you. She has been one of the 
most useful Christian women in her community, active 
not only in her church and local affairs, but keeping in 
touch with her denomination and with the yet wider 
kingdom of interests in which our Baptist people gladly 
take part. ' 

Sincerely yours, 


(Signed) R. H. Pirv. 


“Prior to her marriage, she taught in the public schools 
of Middlesex County, and among her students were 
ex-Gov. A. J. Montague and many other young men of 


Ture Oxp Guarp 223 


the county who have taken a prominent and conspicious 
part in the public affairs of the State.” 

“Her family has been prominent and conspicuous in the 
religious, social, and civic life of Middlesex County for 
many years.” 

“T have had the pleasure of knowing her for thirty-five 
years, and I know of no lady in Middlesex County who 
is held in higher esteem and affection, not only by the 
older heads of her county, but also by the young people. 
While a young man, I lived in the family of Mrs. Smither 
for five years, and taught school at Saluda, which gave 
me an opportunity to see and observe her in her home- 
life. She is one of the purest, loveliest Christian charac- 
ters I ever knew.” 

“A short time ago she celebrated her seventieth birthday, 
when many of her friends gathered at her home in Saluda 
to wish her well, and express their love and affection for 
her. She is still hale and hearty, and very active in her 
church. She is regarded by those who know her, as one 
of the landmarks in the county, and ofttimes her wise 
counsel and advice are sought by those who know her.” 

“T note that you state in your letter that you are writing 
sketches of the women of “The Old Guard.” I know of no 
one who is better entitled to a place among the women of 
of this character than Mrs. Fannie R. Smither. If there 
is any other information which I can give you, I will be 
glad to furnish it.” 


“With kindest personal regards, and trusting that you 
have many years of usefulness ahead of you, I am, 


Yours very sincerely, 


(Signed) Jno. R. SAUNDERS.” 


994 Livina EpistTLes 


She writes that she is seventy and in good health and 
in the full exercise of her faculties. She has weathered 
the storms when they were fiercest, even in the loss of her 
life’s companion who must have made her very happy, and 
is fit to keep up her church activities as before. She at- 
tended the two great conventions about women’s work and 
got great inspiration from them to do her work at home. 


Mrs. W. EK. HatcHer. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp | 225 


MRS. I. B. LAKE 
(BETTIE MARABLE) 


Mrs. I. B. Lake’s maiden 
name was Bettie Marable, the 
daughter of William Hart- 
well Marable and Elizabeth 
Hunt. 

She was born in Sussex 
County, Va., in 1837. Both 
of her parents were promi- 
nent members of the old Neu- 
~ ville Church, recognized as pil- 
lars of the church. There was , 
at the Jamestown Exposition 
a picture of Pocahontas be- 
ing baptized by Rev. Robert | 
Hunt who was said to be one © 
of Mrs. Lake’s ancestors. — 

One would naturally expect Bettie to be a Christian 
woman, but the liveliest imagination could not foresee the 
destiny awaiting her in the training and upbuilding of 
so many youths, some being preachers of the Word, as the 
records show. 

After attending private schools near home till she was 
sixteen years of age, she entered Chowan College, N. C., 
where she stayed till she graduated in 1855. It is a 
mistaken notion widely disseminated at the North that 
because there were no public schools in the South that 


226 Livine Epistles 


education was neglected. That was far from being the 
case. The sons of the colonists returned to English uni- 
versities for their education and later schools and colleges 
sprang up, often taught by university men, and but for 
an encounter with Indians, William and Mary would 
have had the honor of being the first one for men in the 
States. Then Chowan was among the first colleges for 
women, and had a noble faculty. It had Dr. William 
Hooper for president, Dr. P. S. Henson who became a 
world lecturer and pastor of great churches; also Mrs. 
Genette, afterwards Mrs. Dr. J. B. Jeter. 


The education furnished the Southern girl of that 
period has always served her in good stead in point of 
efficiency, combining the charm of manner everywhere 
recognized and admired. 

The South was so loath to give it up that the better 
class hesitated long before patronising the public school. 
What Southern girl would part with her bringing up 
and her Southern pronunciation? A girl at Vassar once 
being corrected, told her teacher she would obey her in 
the class, but she would never change her pronunciation. 

Bettie was born at a time when Southern civilization 
was at its height. .The number of those who survive it is 
small. To them is given a heritage that they would never 
part with. Thomas Nelson Page said, “It was the sweet- 
est, happiest life ever lived.” Bettie lived the typical life 
of the Southern girl surrounded by luxury, adored by 
parents, who had never any burdens placed on her except 
to study books and music and in the midst of many social 
diversions life was delightful. 

When memory reverts to those early days, there is not 
a picture on the canvas that is so alluring as that of the 


THe Oxrp Guarp 227 


girlhood home, not that it had the means of communica- 
tion such as telephone, radio, and autos as we have now, 
but there was a sweetness and happiness—a sense of secur- 
ity and permanence—a real home where generations could 
live, where servants not called slaves loved us as we prized 
and cared for them, where there was a family circle and 
family altar. Tennyson wrote that when stoves came into 
use, firesides went out. 

If one would get a correct idea of the relationship exist- 
ing between master and servant let him read this item 
given me by Dr. James Lake, son of the late Dr. I. B. Lake. 


I had wondered how those living near the scene of the 
Nat Turner insurrection felt about it. I found that when 
grandfather, Mr. Marable, joined the volunteers to 
fight the negroes, if necessary, he left the family in charge 
of his trusty colored carriage driver, ‘Uncle Archie.’ It 
is not unlike what the historian says of Thomas Jefferson 
and his servants, that when he returned from Europe they 
met the carriage at the foot of the hill, unhitched the 
horses, and pulled it to the top where they took him out 
and bore him on their shoulders into the house. They 
thought he was the best and greatest man in the world.” 

Bettie Marable and Dr. Lake met at Chesapeake Col- 
lege, Hampton, where they were both teachers. Dr. Lake 
became converted here and decided to preach. They were 
married and he became principal of Danville College in 
1863. 

Their only child was Dr. James L. Lake, a distinguished 
professor in Wake Forest College, who furnishes a loving 
home for his aged mother now sadly deprived of her sight. 

It was here at Danville that Mrs. Lake began her real 
life work. She established and gave her well-trained powers 


228 Living EpistiEs 


to an infant department and when they removed to Up- 
perville she began and fostered a notable primary depart- 
ment in which at least two well-known ministers began 
their training. 

The position of minister’s wife is one of the highest that 
is known. All doors open to her as well as to her husband. 
It is a position of great responsibility. She can either 
break or make the pastorate a success. To be thoroughly 
efficient I note several things that she must be possessed 
of: she must have spirituality above the ordinary; she 
must be intelligent, better still—college-bred; she must 
know how to preside as gracefully at the festive board as in 
the drawing-room; she must be as courteous to the poor as 
the rich ; she must be competent to be president of societies, 
and be content to let others have honors; and she must 
have charm. 

The fact that her husband lived out a fifty-year pastor- 
ate at Upperville speaks loudly and decisively. If we 
had no other evidence that would have been sufficient. 
We need not seek to find if she had the above qualifica- 
tions: the verdict comes from many sources that she had 
them all. 

Mrs. Lake possessed knowledge of music that made her 
a special helper to the pastor. Not all pastor’s wives are 
so efficient. It it said that she always helped with the 
singing in choirs and Sunday schools. It is a matter of 
regret that there is so little singing in the homes of this 
day. It is only the high-class singing that seems to be 
sought after. In the past there was much singing by 
the family—young people seldom met together without 
singing chorus songs familiar to all—how the old song 
used to ring out—“The stormy winds do blow, blow, blow, 


Tur Oxrp GuaARD* 929 


and the swelling tides how they roll.” Now when the 
evening repast is over, the young people start to the movies. 


A friend writes, “For a great many years Mrs. I. B. 
Lake had charge of the Primary Department of the Sun- 
day school at the Baptist Church, Upperville, Va. There 
are now living and serving at least two ministers of the 
gospel who received training in her department. One is 
Dr. F. C. Skinner, pastor of the First Baptist Church of 
Columbus, 8S. C. The other, Rev. W. E. Gibson, pastor of 
the Broadus Memorial Church, Richmond, Va. The large 
service Mrs. Lake rendered the cause of Christ with her 
loving husband, Dr. I. B. Lake, can never be tabulated. 
Her usefulness in the Upperville Church extended over 
fifty years. She has ever been ready to give cheer to the 
hopeless, inspiration and strength to the weak. Her 
heart has kept young, her mind has sustained its alert- 
ness and vigor. Mrs. Lake was president, of the Ladies’ 
Aid Society, Upperville, Va., for nearly fifty years and 
did not resign until her feeble health made it impossible 
for her to continue the work. She made beautiful her 
home with the spirit of her Master, dispensing always a 
gracious and generous hospitality.” 


Mrs. Lake is now in her eighty-sixth year and makes 
her home with her son, Professor James Lake, Wake 
Forest, N. C. 


Dr. Charles Herndon writes of her, “I was often in her 
home at Upperville. She was a woman of splendid pres- 
ence, of strong mind, well-cultured, an ideal pastor’s 
wife. She was a mighty influence in training the young 
in her husband’s church, always having in charge the 
primary department of the Sunday school.” 


230 | Livina EpistiEs 


In the long ago, soon after we moved to Richmond we 
had as our guests at one of the conventions, Dr. and Mrs. 
Lake, of Upperville. That visit began a friendship be- 
tween the two families that has grown and been cemented 
by the passing years, and we doubt not is being renewed 
in the other world. 


It has been a great privilege and pleasure to prepare, 
in her lifetime, this little sketch of my friend, Mrs. Lake. 


Mrs. W. E. HatcHer. 


Tur Oxp Guarp 931 


OUR INVITED GUEST 


Conspicuously present at the Semi-Centennial, and 
well to the fore during the sessions of the Centennial, 
there is another whose name does not appear in our 
roster, albeit four months and fours days the senior of 
our eldest; the tutor of each one of us from our child- 
hood, and still our referee and guide. ‘Trusting that 
this same relationship will extend to our children and 
our children’s children, we grant to this honored pre- 
ceptor freedom of speech, and welcome this autobiog- 
raphy with whole-hearted acclaim— 


Long Inve The Religious Herald! 
— Editor. 


Since I am the oldest of all the Living Epistles whom 
you are to honor in this volume it becomes necessary 
for me to tell my own story. I was born on the 11th of 
January, 1828. I am proud of my parentage. Over my 
birth and over all the tender years of my earliest hfe 
some of the best saints of the earth presided; William 
Crane, William Sands, the first James B. Taylor, Henry 
Keeling, Eli Ball, and I know not how many others of 
like character and usefulness, watched over my infancy 
and youth and gave such direction to those early years 
as greatly influenced my long and continuing life. Of 
those mentioned, William Sands gave his companionship 
and guidance for thirty-seven years. With him, toward 


239 Livine Episties 


the close of his connection with my life, was associated 
David Shaver, a man honored and beloved not only in 
the section of the country in which my own name was 
most familiar, but throughout the land. 

It would be too long a story to tell of my hard ex- 
periences in my early life and it would scarely be be- 
coming in me to write of my own achievements. Yet 
my story would be incomplete if I did not make some 
modest reference to the fact that for years I “cultivated 
literature on a little oat meal.” I can well recall the 
exiguous financial condition of my modest exchequer 
through all those early times. I had to be content to 
wear homespun and to forego delicate and costly viands 
in favor of homely though substantial fare. Neverthe- 
less, in the providence of God, I found my way into the 
homes and hearts of Virginia Baptist folk, and made 
some considerable contribution to their happiness and 
usefulness. 

It pleases me to recall at your invitation the fact that 
outside of the Baptist General Association of Virginia 
and the State Mission Board, which were practically 
identical for some years after the organization of -the 
former, I have been present and participating at the 
birth of every other organization which Virginia Bap- 
tists now foster. It pleases me still more to remember 
that without exception I have done what I could to 
guard, to guide, and to help all these interesting develop- 
ments that looked to a wider fellowship among our 
people and a heartier and steadier codperation in pro- 
moting the Kingdom of God. 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 233 


The privations, the toils, the difficulties of my earlier 
years, to which slight allusion has already been made, 
came to a climax in the long and terrible war period 
from ’61 to ’65. During this time indeed I lived from 
hand to mouth and often did not know from one week 
to another what clothing I should wear or what food I 
should find for my necessary sustenance. My home has 
been continuously in Richmond. At no time have I 
lived more than four squares away from my present 
residence. When the Southern Confederacy broke its 
heart in Richmond, and when the fire in April, 765 swept 
over this long beleaguered city all my little savings were 
consumed and nothing was left to me but a good name 
and a good character. For a while I was little more 
than a waif or stray. Then two men whose names and 
lives are interwoven with the history of Virginia Bap- 
tists, believing that there was still work for me to do 
and a place for me to fill, took over the responsibilities 
of my guardianship. These men were Jeremiah Bell 
Jeter and Alfred Elijah Dickinson. Out of the ashes, 
they rescued me and by their wise counsel and energetic 
direction, my feet were soon set in the path which I 
have trodden ever since. I cannot detain you to tell 
of how these men brought into association with them 
others such as Richard Fuller, William T. Brantley, 
John A. Broaddus, R. H. Marsh, James Upham, J. C. 
Hiden, William E. Hatcher, H. H. Harris, John Wil- 
liam Jones, and J. Taylor Ellyson. 


234 Livine Epistiers 


All of these, together with the men who saved me 
from extinction in the critical post-war period, fell on 
sleep years ago. 


In the second week in September, 1888, now nearly 
thirty-six years ago, a young pastor in the City of Rich- 
mond, by name Robert Healy Pitt, was brought into 
contact with me. At first it was supposed that this re- 
lation would be only temporary, but in the providence 
of God he has been associated with me ever since. We 
are too near to the present time to dwell particularly 
upon this association, though it may be truly said that 
during its continuance, I have been able to preserve, 
perpetuate and illustrate all the nobler traditions of 
my earlier life and to bear my witness without fear and 
without reproach. ! 


I have never been able to comprehend for myself, or 
to define for others, just what is my relation to the 
great Baptist brotherhood of the state. When there are 
tasks to be done, difficult problems to solve, heavy bur- 
dens to be borne, it seems to be understood that I am a 
full-grown child of the denomination with all the filial 
obligations and responsibilities which grow out of that 
relationship. When, however, there are benefits to be 
bestowed or rewards to be given, I seem to be counted 
as a sort of step-child. Not that I do not experience 
many kindnesses and even considerate courtesies, or do 
not enjoy many tokens of friendship, but I do not yet 
have among our people quite the same standing as they 
give to their other children. 


Tur Ortp Guarp 935 


Yes, I was present at the Semi-Centennial in 1873. I 
did my part indeed toward promoting that great and 
memorable occasion, and toward recording the interest- 
ing incidents and wonderful enthusiasms of that notable 
celebration. During the fifty years and more that in- 
tervened between that June day and those glorious 
November days last Autumn, I watched carefully week 
by week the marvelous growth of our folk and made 
permanent record of it for the generations to come. 

I am brought by your kindly insistence into associa- 
tion in this volume with the Society of Survivors. I 
am proud of this association. Some of them indeed 
feel the weight of accumulating years but their hearts 
are young and their hopes grow more radiant with the 
passing years. JI am more fortunate than they, for 
nearing ninety-seven, a period when most of the Living 
Epistles will be likely confessing to the limitations of 
advanced years, I am unconscious of such limitations 
and feel in my bones all the enthusiasms and vivacities 
of youth. 

In this temper, with my past secure and my present 
filled with duties and responsibilities that challenge all 
my resources, I face the future which rushes toward us 
with courage and hope. I make my Christian saluta- 
tions to the small but select company into which I come 
now by invitation. May the useful lives they have 
lived be prolonged, and when the shadows deepen in the 
West, may golden promise that “at eventide it shall be 
light” be fulfilled for them! 

—Leligious Herald. 


936 Livina Episties 


SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF MY YOUTHFUL 
DAYS 


[Capt. R. Walton Sydnor, one of the members of “The Old 
Guard,’ has been persuaded to contribute some recollections of 
his boyhood days leading up to 1873.—EpIrTor. | 

When I was four years old I went to school in a pine 
log house, with neither floor nor windows. The cracks 
between the logs supplied light and ventilation. No seats 
except a rough bench, wooden chimneys with fireplace 
lined with stones to keep the logs from burning. The 
roof was boards split out of logs and fastened on with 
logs placed on top to keep the boards in place. No nails. 
I had a good time. I was too young to study much, 
and the teacher gave me liberty to be out or in. Little 
boys wore aprons in those days and I wore one. I re- 
member that I took mine off and turned it around and 
put it on coat fashion, and said that I was no gal and 
was not going to wear aprons. 

My next school house was log, but had a plank floor 
and a stove; and then another log house with glass 
windows, seats and desks. I went to this school two or 
three years, had a lady teacher and made some headway 
in the three h R Fs. 

The punishment for misbehavior, or bad lessons was 
being kept in playtime, or made stand in the corner, 
or stand on a block about twelve inches high, called the 
dunce block. We had on Friday afternoons long division 


Tur Oxtp Guarp wot 


examples in arithmetic. All of the class had the same 
example. We would sometimes all sit together and help 
each other and we would soon have our example (or sum 
as it was called) worked out. This was our work for the 
afternoon, and then school would close. But sometimes 
I would be stubborn and choose to work alone and have 
nothing to do with the others, who were mostly girls. I 
usually failed when I tried to go alone and I was kept in 
playtime the next week, until I had completed the 
example. 


I did not always get on well with the girls at school, 
and one time I gave the teacher some impudence, or 
back-talk, and I stayed in playtime most of the next 
week, and on my report, “deportment very bad.” We 
had a large spelling class, Walker’s Dictionary. I, in 
some way, got to the head of the class. There were 
several girls who were older than I and I had a hard 
time to hold my place. My mother had told me that if 
I would stay at the head of the class for a whole month 
I would be rewarded, and I was hoping to hold out. But 
that word eclat caused my downfall. One of the big 
girls cut me down and I found it hard to get it back. I 
frequently told this girl after she was grown up and 
married that I had not forgiven her. 


My next school was at Union Academy, large frame 
house, two rooms and two teachers, and fighting teachers 
they were, and we boys had to be very careful, and some 
of them had a hard time, but I managed to get by. I 
would pick out my question and when the teacher was 


238 Livine EPIstTLEs 


not looking I would read the answer out of the book. 
This was risky. Sometimes I would get one of my boy 
friends, who was a good student and always knew his 
lesson, to tell me when the teacher was looking the other 
way. The spelling class did not amount to much in this 
school. We were called up to spell, the first. thing after 
playtime, and no one put much study on the lesson, and 
only a few of the pupils ever got head by knowing the 
lesson. We all were at the head of the class sometimes 
but did not stay. The one who was head to-day went 
foot tomorrow. A few good spellers soon went by the 
most of us, and got back to the head of the class. We 
had big boys and little boys. Twelve or fifteen of us 
rode, when the horses were not too busy.at home. We 
youngsters had a good time changing the saddles and 
making the owners mad. 


Soon after this, war time came on and all excitement. 
My older brother was a great reader of newspapers, and 
I heard him say that if Abe Lincoln was elected we 
would have war. J did not know how to take this in. 
I had read about war, but the idea of war in my time 
was not taken in. But it did come. My brother had 
gone to Columbian College in Washington City, D. C. 
His predictions came true. He got out of the city just 
in time, as martial law was declared. He joined the 
army and was killed at Sharpsburg, Md. 


All was confusion, military companies were being 
formed, and services offered to the state Governor. The 
boys who were old enough joined the army. We younger 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 239 


ones organized ourselves into a military company, our 
mothers made uniforms for us, we elected our officers 
and drilled. We had a public meeting and dinner at 
Old Crenshaw’s Church and the ladies presented the boy 
company (Beauregard Reserves) with a flag which was 
received with thanks by our Captain, Mr. Freeman Epes. 
We thought that we were playing soldiers, but conditions 
soon changed. My father’s overseer went to the War 
and I was taken home to help on the farm. This did 
not last; three years from this time I had to go as a real 
soldier. The military age at first was from 18 to 45, 
but later was lowered to 17 and advanced to 50. My 
company was organized at Nottoway Court House in 
April, and on the 8th of May, 1864, we were taken to 
Petersburg and did service guarding bridges, and pro- 
vost duty on railroad, and were frequently sent to dif- 
ferent places to meet raids. 

We heard the bullets whistle around Petersburg, when 
a raid came near Butterworth bridge where we were 
camped. Fortunately no one was hurt, but all were 
badly seared. Our company was composed of boys 17 
years old and had just left home with no military 
training. The close of the war found my company in 
Danville, Va., the last capital of the Southern Con- 
federacy. 

President Davis and his staff rode through our camp 
in Danville when starting South, this was the last time 
I saw him. I was in Richmond at his inauguration and 
reception four years before and being just a boy I did 
not care to shake hands, but as he passed by me, I took 


240 Livina EPpistTLes 


hold of his coat-tail and gave it a shake. We were dis- 
banded in Danville, Va., and I made my way home, got 
my parole, and went to plowing. War over, but hard 
times and desolation. 


Many changes have taken place in the last 75 years. 
We had no railroads, no telegraph lines, no banks. Mail 
routes by stages or horseback twice or three times a week. 
Letters, when put in the office to be mailed had to be 
way-billed just as freight or express matter is now. A 
trip to Petersburg from Blacks and Whites, now called 
Blackstone, required one and a half days with a load. 
Camped on the road and slept in the wagon or out by the 
fire. I have made the trip and had a good time. My 
longest trip was to Roanoke County to my grandfather’s. 
This took four days. Carriage, buggy, or horseback, or 
cart, or wagon for the baggage. 


When the railroad cars did start, we only had one 
train a day each way and if the train was late, we just 
had to wait; no way of knowing where or when the 
train would arrive and all uneasy for fear the train had 
run off the track,—we did not say had a wreck. Baggage 
was not checked, and when we arrived at our destination, 
each one looked after and claimed his baggage. 


The High Bridge near Farmville was the wonder of 
the country for a long time. It was the longest and high- 
est railroad bridge in the country, and many visitors 
went to see it. It was longer and higher than it is now, 
built of wood on brick piers. 


Tur Oxp Guarp 941 


Our court system was different from now. We had 
county court every month. All of the magistrates in 
the county held this court together, and the oldest in 
office presided. Single magistrates held their own court, 
as at present. Sheriff collected the taxes, no treasurer. 


Elections were held at the different precincts. The 
voter would offer to vote, his name was called out audibly 
by the crier or one of the officers of the election, and the 
name of his choice was entered on the poll book. Any 
one who would take the trouble to keep the talley could 
know, at any time, how the election stood. I have heard 
that the county of Nottoway was very nearly equally 
divided between Whigs and Democrats, a very few votes 
would change the result. Blackface was a voting place 
and I think also Wellville. I have heard that only 
persons who owned real estate were allowed to vote, and 
they could vote in county election in any county where 
they owned land. 


No Woman Suffrage then, and not much women’s 
rights. A married woman could not own property ; when 
she married she surrendered herself and all of her prop- 
erty, both real and personal, unless she had a marriage 
contract, which was arranged by law before marriage. 


All of the rich young ladies were very much admired, 
and sometimes a poor young man could gain the affection 
of a rich girl, and then the girl would be poor and the 
man rich, and if he was unfortunate or got in debt, the 
wife’s property could be sold to pay the man’s debts. 
Divorces were very rare and hard to obtain. I have 


949 Living EpistTLeEs 


heard that the first divorce in Virginia required a special 
act of the legislature before it could be granted. 


No public schools, and many persons could neither 
read nor write. There were private teachers in families, 
and sometimes a neighborhood school and a few acade- 
mies and colleges, but only persons of financial ability 
could patronize them. 


From 1850 to 1860, our Southern country was pros- 
perous. Crops sold well and farmers were improving 
their farms and homes. New houses were being erected, 
more land purchased and stock improved. 


We had many fine horses; new carriages were bought 
at high prices, but few buggies. 


The family was taken to church in the carriage and 
the young ladies usually went in the carriage with their 
mother. Young ladies rarely rode in buggies with young 
men, and but few of the girls would dance. The social 
visiting was different from the present times. Visitors 
and friends would frequently spend the day or night 
without special invitation. The young men would visit 
their lady friends in the afternoon and stay to supper, 
and if a long way from home would be invited and ex- 
pected to spend the night. When company called they 
were met at the door by a servant and invited in the 
parlor, and if cold weather a fire was made which 
usually took a long time. After a while the young ladies 
would come in. No smoking was indulged in where 
ladies were. ‘The older men sometimes smoked pipes. 


Tur Oxrp Guarp 243 


Cigars were unusual. Manufactured tobacco was a 
luxury, and cigarettes had not been thought of. 


Some of my first recollections are the “June meet- 
ings” which always included the first Sunday in June. 
My father, Rev. T. W. Sydnor, only missed one or two 
during his ministry. Nor did he miss the meetings of 
the Concord Association of which he was moderator for 
many years. On one occasion he was taken sick just 
before the meeting. As railroads, mail and telegraph 
lines were not available, he sent me to Clarksville, fifty 
miles, to tell the brethren that he could not be there. He 
was disappointed and wanted the association to know 
why he was absent. Another time before this, when I 
was too young to make the trip alone, he sent a servant 
along with me to Tussekiah Church in Lunenburg 
County, to tell the congregation that Mr. Sydnor was 
sick. 


My father served four churches in four different 
counties ; two of these churches were forty miles apart. 
In those days the country churches had quarterly busi- 
ness meetings, but they were held on Saturdays. My 
father would sometimes leave home on Friday and be 
gone until the next Monday or Tuesday. Many persons 
who are not old enough to remember the snow of 1856 
and 1857, known as Cox’s Snow, have heard of the tragic 
death of Dr. Cox, who was covered under the snow only 
a short distance from his home, returning from a pro- 
fessional visit. 


244 Livina Episties 


The snow drifted badly and was several feet deep 
and worse in the roads between the fences. In some 
places fences were blown down, and travelers would leave 
the road and drive in the field where the snow was not 
so deep. A short time before the snow, my father had 
been notified that his services would be needed to per- 
form a marriage ceremony about twenty miles distant. 
He had on one occasion failed to meet just such a call, 
after which he notified my mother to remind him of the 
dates. Her memory may have been stimulated by the 
fact that the fees were invariably to be hers. When the 
date of the expected marriage was approaching the snow 
was from two to four feet deep and still falling. But, 
marriages must not be postponed on account of a few feet 
of snow. <A sleigh, two horses and driver were brought 
out, and my father started and traveled through the snow 
and reached his destination. He was met at the door by 
a lady who presently informed him that there would be 
no marriage. This ends the first part of the story. A 
few days after my father had returned, my mother was 
handed one dollar and fifty cents which the discarded 
and prospective groom had sent to my father, to pay for 
the sleigh ride. The story however has a squel. 


About two years later, when there was no snow, a 
letter was received, calling the parson to marry the same 
young woman, but not the same young man. ‘This time 
a real marriage and a great supper, and the couple lived 
happily. My mother’s interest this time amounted to 
ten dollars. A few years after this marriage a Mr. Brown 


Tur O1tp GuarD 945 


rode up to the gate and called for Mr. Sydnor. My 
father sent out and invited him in. Mr. Brown declined, 
but insisted that Mr. Sydnor come out to the gate. He 
stated that he desired him to preach his wife’s funeral. 
My father knowing that the lady had been dead about 
two years, advised Mr. Brown to dispense with such 
form of service. Mr. Brown however, insisted upon the 
preaching. Then he stated that he wanted my father to 
meet him at the railroad station to go to Prince George 
County where, as he put it, “I want to take on another,” 
whereupon my father urged him again not to have any 
preaching. Mr. Brown then explained that his wife’s 
family were unwilling for him to marry until he had 
paid this due respect to the deceased. Both ceremonies 
were duly performed. 


Protracted meetings or big preaching, as they were 
called, were held by the different denominations, in the 
summer season. Some times we would have two preach- 
ers, one would preach in the forenoon and one in the 
afternoon. The dinner was the attraction. Crowds in 
attendance. Dinner provided for all, sometimes served 
on one long table for everybody, but usually on smaller 
tables by different families and friends, who invited 
acquaintances and strangers, and all were fed. This 
part of the big meeting was well attended, and enjoyed. 
Dinner over, the ministers and some of the brethen 
would depart to the house and attempt to assemble the 
congregation by singing and prayer. ‘The afternoon 
congregations were smaller. Some of the young folk 


246 Livina EPpistTies 


would walk to the spring or sit in the carriages and 
talk over matters which concerned themselves only. At 
one of our “Big Meetings” at old Cool Spring Church, 
which lasted eleven days, my mother had cooked and 
served eleven hams, but we had a good meeting. Rev. 
T. W. Greer, a famous evangelist did the preaching. 
There were many additions to the church and member- 
ship revived. This was about 1859 or 1860. 


Our home was just one-half mile from the church. On 
every first Sunday its hospitality was extended to and en- 
joyed by many whose homes were too far distant to be 
reached before dinner time. At one of these first Sun- 
day table gatherings, a gentleman who was always pres- 
ent, and an extravagant admirer of my father, and noted 
for his peculiar wit, attracted the attention of the table 
by asking my father if he would furnish him a printed 
copy of the morning sermon. ‘What was it Mr. Thomp- 
son,” said my father, “that especially interested you in 
the sermon ?” By this time every one was waiting for the 
reply. Mr. Thompson explained that he wanted to see 
how that long pause would look in print. The minister 
had taken occasion to rebuke some misbehavior, by a 
prolonged halt in the midst of the sermon. 


Soon after this our country was aroused and excited 
by prospect of war. Most of our male members volun- 
teered, many of whom never returned. My father, after 
preaching to the white congregation in the morning, 
always held special service for the negroes in the after- 
noon. We had a large membership of negroes. These 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 947 


occupied the wing built for their exclusive use, during 
the morning service. In the afternoon they occupied the 
entire house. The names of the large negro member- 
ship were enrolled on the church book, recording also 
the names of their owners. The meetings were always 
held under the direction of the white members. ‘The 
negroes taking part in matters of discipline touching 
their own members. 

When the War was over things changed. The church 
building was sold to the negroes after they had organized. 
They wanted a Sunday school and I consented to super- 
intend it for them. They brought whatever book they 
could get, —Beography, history or speller. Very few 
could read. 

This colored church has had only three pastors since 
its organization, two of these had been slaves who had 
some education and were men of character, and stood 
well with whites and blacks. The present pastor is a son 
of a slave and is doing well. I am sometimes now re 
minded by the old negroes, of the time when I taught 
Sunday school for them, and they appreciated it. 

I must say that I fear that we, as white Baptists, have 
failed to do our full duty to the negro since his freedom. 
I am sure we fail to recognize what an important factor 
the negro is in our Southern Country. 


248 Livine Episties 


RECONSTRUCTION TIMES 


I reached home from the Confederate army on April 
16, 1865. My company of boys, 17 years old, were 
stationed at Staunton River Bridge on Richmond and 
Danville railroad about fifty miles east of Danville, Va., 
with the 1st Regt. Va. Reserves, commanded by Col. 
B. L. Farinholt, who was in charge of the forces who 
repulsed the famous Wilson raid of 1864, and thus saved 
the bridge. 

When Richmond city was evacuated April 2, 1865, 
our command was ordered from Staunton River to Dan- 
ville in great haste. We boarded a freight train and 
started. Behind us was the train from Richmond, on 
which were President Davis and staff. Soon after 
leaving camp our train was wrecked. One of the box cars 
was filled with sick and wounded Georgia soldiers from 
the hospital in Richmond. In the wreck five or six men 
were killed and mangled beyond recognition. We hastily 
took up their bodies on the door of the car and buried 
them near the railroad. Their names were not known. 
The spot where they lie was visited by me, a shore time 
ago. On reaching Danville our regiment was camped 
in the grove near Five Forks, now owned by the city 
as a park. We threw up some temporary breastworks 
and did provost guard duty for a few days. 

President Davis and his officials were quartered at 
the residence of Major Sutherlin on West Main Street, 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 949 


then the suburbs of the city. We heard of Gen. Lee’s 
surrender the 10th of April. Our regiment was dis- 
banded and the men allowed to go to their homes. Be 
fore we had left our camp, President Davis and his staff 
officers rode through on the way to the station, to take the 
train to Greensboro and the South. All was confusion 
in Danville, the Federal army being expected at any 
time. Government supplies were being taken by any one 
who could get them. 

A few of us, Col. Farinholt, Adjutant Sydnor and 
some others, and myself decided to report to Gen. John- 
son in North Carolina, who had not surrendered. Fortu- 
nately my cousin, Adjutant Sydnor, secured two Con- 
federate mules, and our party started to Clarksville, Va. 
I had no saddle and started bareback, but one of our 
party concluded to stay in Danville and he gave me his 
saddle, I have this saddle yet. 

We left in our camp much of our army supplies and 
baggage. I tried to get some one to take care of my 
sword and company records, which I prized, but no one 
wanted to have any confederate weapons in their posses- 
sion, knowing that the enemy might be on hand any 
time. Our party started to Clarksville, traveling night 
and day. On the route our mules had to be fed. I saw 
near the road a stack of fodder, and my mule was 
hungry. I just went to the stack and confiscated a 
supply for our mules. I started with my - knapsack, 
but found it in my way, and left it on the road. We 
reached Clarksville, Thursday, April 12th, thus cele- 
brating my 18th birthday. 


250 Livine EpistTies 


Here we found other Confederate soldiers, who were 
just as bewildered as we were, not knowing what was 
best to do, everybody uneasy, Government supplies were 
being plundered, and all was confusion. We discussed 
the situation and decided to try to get to our respective 
homes. Some of us had to cross Roanoke River at 
Clarksville, no bridge but a ferry. We told the ferry- 
man, an old negro, that we wanted to go across, and 
offered to pay the ferriage. He said to us that he did not 
know about taking Confederate money. We told him 
plainly that he was to put us across, and he could take 
the money or not, as he chose. He took the money. This 
was the last Confederate money that I spent. I am sure 
I got value received in this deal. After two days riding 
and walking, I reached home. I had to take the path 
and by-roads when I got near home, I did not want to 
meet the Yankees. I knew I would lose my mule and 
might be taken prisoner myself. I reached home safely 
about night, April 16, 1865. The Federal officer in com- 
mand had furnished a house guard, the family and prop- 
erty were protected. The next morning I went over to 
headquarters and got my parole, signed by the provost 
marshal. I have this document yet. The whole country 
was in possession of the Federal army. 


My father had already called the negroes together 
and told them that they were free and no longer his 
property, that if they wanted to remain he would do 
his best to provide for them. After getting my parole, 
I took my C. S. mule, which I captured in Danville, 


‘Tue Oxtp Guarp 251 


and went plowing. My younger brother and I, with 
what help we could get, made a fine crop of corn. 
Negroes in great numbers offered for hire, but often 
failed to return to their job, and in some cases, after 
working for a day would leave in the night without 
coming for their pay. Wages were necessarily very low, 
since silver and greenbacks were scearce. A day’s labor 
for a man was estimated at about 25 cents, a woman 
about 12 cents, board furnished in addition to this. Few 
were wiling to hire by the month. My mother made 
lunches for the Federal soldiers and sold them for green- 
backs, which was the first money we had. All the truth 
about reconstruction times will never be told. I stayed 
on the farm and enjoyed the hard work. 


252 Living Episties 


THE PIG AND THE PROVOST 


A nice pig is always tempting, but during recon- 
struction times, a fat shoat would test one’s honesty. My 
younger brother had charge of the hogs, and a fine herds- 
man he was. One morning he was greatly disturbed to 
find three of his finest pigs missing. After much in- 
quiry he heard that there was a pig resembling his at a 
nearby cabin. He saddled his horse, took a sack bag 
with him and soon had one pig in the bag. Before 
reaching home he located the other two. This was dur- 
ing the provost marshal’s regime. About three days 
after this, my father was served with a summons to 
appear at the court house to answer a charge of pig steal- 
ing. 

He and the boy duly presented themselves before the 
august judge, while Jim, a noted thief, stood ready to 
testify. When the document was handed to the Court, 
the defendant was introduced as Reverend Mr. Sydnor, 
the judge appeared somewhat embarrassed and suggested 
that there must be some mistake as to the personnel. 
No, my father explained that the name was correct, and 
he was ready for trial. The provost, however, insisted 
upon withholding the document and quashed all pro- 
ceedings. The three pigs averaged about 200 pounds at 
killing time. 

My father was much concerned about our education. 
I knew that I had gotten rusty and too old, as I thought, 


Tur Oxtp Guarp 258 


to be a schoolboy again. My father insisted that I 
go to Richmond College. Dr. Tiberius Gracchus Jones, 
President, showed me around, but college did not appeal 
tome. I spent an hour or two, went in one door and 
out another, thus getting “through college” in short 
order. I afterward completed my education in Balti- 
more at_a business college. 

I heard Dr. Fuller at the Seventh Baptist Church 
where I met the Levering Brothers, Eugene and Joshua, 
whose attention and kindness to me I remember and 
appreciate. Dr. W. E. Hatcher was pastor at Franklin 
Square. I sometimes attended his preaching. The 
church was then almost in the country. On leaving 
Baltimore, I came home, went back to the farm and have 
continued to enjoy the outdoor life. 

When in South Boston a few years ago, I visited the 
grave of the old Georgia soldiers whom I had helped to 
bury 59 years ago. I mentioned this fact to the U. D. C. 
and an account of it was published in a Danville paper. 
A short time since, I received a letter from Mr. C. F. 
Copeland of LeGrange, Ga., asking about this wreck and 
burial of Confederate soldiers. He thinks his brother 
was one of the soldiers who was killed. . 

The U. D. C. is planning to take care of these graves. 


254 Livine Episties 


EPILOG 


YESTERDAY TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW 


I 


Yesterday is a land of dreams, 

Where fantasies of mem’ry dwell; 
Where falls the light with gentle beams 
Upon the scenes we loved so well. 

The water ’neath the wheel has run, 
The tide is out along the shore, 

But still we love to think upon 

The “good old times” that are no more. 


IT 


To-day is in a land of deeds, 

Where hearts awake, cry out and sing; 
Where hope exultant skyward speeds, 
Like eagles mounting on the wing. 

And faith, while leaning on His word, 
Points out the way to better things 

For those who love and serve the Lord, 
And wait the blessings which He brings. 


Tur Orp Guarp 955 


ITT 


To-morrow hides a path untrod, 
Beyond the reach of human ken, 
Where God alone, Omniscient God, 
Foresees the pilgrimage of men. 
And He who hears the ravens call, 
Is keeping watch above His own, 
To see that not a one shall fall 
While journeying the way unknown. 


Weel, He 


If the perusal of these love-tokens has recalled any 
pleasant memories, reminded you of happy associations 
of long ago, or brought you to feel afresh, the joy of 
early and lasting friendships; then this humble record- 
er’s labor of love will leave him happier than when the 
thought was first conceived. 


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